Cheshire West residents can now recycle even more of their household waste

HOUSEHOLDERS across West Cheshire are now able to recycle even more of their plastic waste – thanks to improvements to the borough’s waste collection service.

From December residents will not be limited to recycling plastic bottles but will also be able to place out many other types of packaging such as pots, tubs and food trays.

These improvements mean that all of the borough’s households will now be able to recycle the majority of their plastic packaging waste – something previously only available in the former Ellesmere Port and Neston area.

Residents will receive an information leaflet through the door detailing what can and can’t now be recycled and the difference it will make to the environment.

All new materials can be stored in the existing containers used to collect plastic bottles.

Executive member for community and environment Councillor Lynn Riley said: “Cheshire West and Chester residents are amongst the most committed recyclers in the country and we understand how keen they are to recycle even more.

“I am very happy to announce this improvement. Plastic is one of the most widely-used and popular materials of modern times. However, its popularity is part of the problem – we now use 20 times more of it than we did 50 years ago.

“By collecting even more recyclable waste we are not only helping to reduce the amount of waste we dispose of, but also to reduce our carbon footprint.

“Every time we recycle just one plastic bottle we save enough energy to power an energy saving light bulb for fourteen hours. Just think how much extra energy we can now save.”

The improved service will allow residents to recycle plastic bottles from around the home (such as shampoo bottles, cleaning product bottles, as well as drinks containers including lids); food trays; butter and margarine tubs; fruit punnets; yoghurt pots.

All containers should be rinsed prior to recycling to reduce contamination levels.

Some types of plastic still cannot not be accepted for recycling including plastic film, all black plastic and hard plastics such as children’s toys, video cassettes, and buckets.

For further details of the changes, including a full user guide, look out for leaflets coming through your door over the coming weeks, visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or call 0300 123 7026.