Low Carbon: Don't dump your old bin - recycle it

By James Shepherd on Jun 19, 09 08:59 AM in News

RESIDENTS are being urged to reuse their old dustbins as Chester's new waste collection scheme gets under way.

The service started on Monday June 15 and most households now have three wheelie bins, blue for recyclable waste, brown for household waste and green for garden waste.
As a result, several of the traditional-style black bins many households used to store their plastic bags of waste have been left redundant.

Last weekend, June 13-14, about 200 of the old-style bins were dropped off at Bumper's Lane household waste and recycling centre, off Sealand Road.

Cheshire West and Chester waste strategy senior manager Helen de Lemos said: "Dustbins have not been provided by Chester councils for many years but Cheshire West and Chester Council recognises there are still a number in use and people have asked us what they can do with them when the new Chester Waste Collection service starts.

"In line with our council's policy to reduce waste, we are encouraging all households to put their old dustbins to good use rather than dispose of them.

"Bins can be reused for storage, as a water butt, home compost unit or even a pond. If you feel you can't reuse your bin yourself maybe someone else in your family or street can?

You could even try advertising them on a website such as www.uk.freecycle.org which matches people with items to give away with those that can make use of them. However reuse is by far the best and most environmentally friendly option."

"If residents with old dustbins feel they can't reuse them they can take them to their local household waste recycling centre for disposal.

"HW Martin, the contractor that runs the centre on behalf of the council, is seeking recycling outlets for the old dustbins received."

Residents are urged to reuse their bins. If they cannot be recycled they will have to be disposed of through landfill.

The aim of the new waste scheme is to increase recycling levels by making it easier to recycle.

There has been a mixed response to the wheelie bin system, as highlighted on the BBC's Breakfast programme earlier this week, with some residents complaining they are unsightly and take up too much space.

For details, visit www.cheshirewest andchester.gov.uk or call 0300 123 7026.