'Blue bag' recycling trial ends this month
As a trial to collect more recyclable materials from Wirral residents draws to an end, the lead councillor for environmental issues in the borough paid a visit to the local recycling centre to take a look at how it was working in practice.
Cllr Liz Grey, Chair of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee for Wirral Council, recently went along to the Materials Recovery Facility at Bidston, which is operated by Veolia on behalf of the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA).
While there she had the chance to speak to staff and see for herself how the recycling of films and flexible plastics – which are the subject of the 12-week trial programme – was being managed.
Since June, more than 7,000 households across the borough have been supporting the council and waste management partners in trialling a new collection method which aims to recycle a range of soft plastic packaging items that aren’t able to be collected under the current recycling method.
The trial involves asking residents to use distinctive blue bags into which they can place items such as sweet wrappers, foil-lined packets, pouches and sachets, cheese, fish and meat wrapping, bubble wrap, cling film, plastic film and plastic bags that things like bread, cereal and loose fruit and vegetables come in.
Once full, residents should seal the bags, place them inside their regular grey recycling bin and put them out for collection as usual with their other recycling.
I really appreciate resident’s participation in the films and flexible plastic recycling pilot, we have received good feedback from the residents who have taken part, on the workings of the collection operation. The intention is to collect films and flexible plastic for recycling in the future as part of the refuse collection service, so such feedback is useful to plan for this. Participation levels in the pilot have been encouraging, and we know that residents are keen to see a solution for this type of recycling.
This trial is an important step to pave the way for the expansion of recycling services in Wirral and we’re pleased that residents are participating enthusiastically. Our staff at Bidston Materials Recycling Facility are working hard to ensure that the plastic bags and wrapping that residents carefully sorted are processed separately, which not only complies with Simpler Recycling legislation, but also drives a circular economy to benefit both communities and the environment.
