Cornwall mixes recycling as it prepares for food waste

The council is due to roll out food waste collections later this year and is stepping up efforts to ensure facilities are in place to handle this.

It recently approved Suez’s plans for a new MRF and transfer station (see letsrecycle.com story) and is undertaking a number of construction works on its network of transfer stations to they can handle food waste.

While works are being undertaken many sites will be closed. The council warned that this will mean that some separated recyclables will be commingled during transport to alternative facilities across the South West, but “will be re-sorted once they arrive at the recycling facility”.

Cornwall council has a system whereby residents have a orange bag for cardboard, a blue bag for paper, a red bag for plastics and metals and a black box for glass.

It’s great to see that works have started on our new food waste facilities

• Carol Mould, Cornwall council

Collections

As crews will need to take different routes, the council has also asked residents to ensure all waste and recycling is put out by 7am on collection days.

Cornwall council has asked that everyone continues to sort their recycling into their recycling bags and box as usual before they put it out for collection.

Carol Mould, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: “It’s great to see that works have started on our new food waste facilities and we look forward to rolling out the new food waste collection service later this year.

“In the meantime, we are asking all residents to make sure that they put out their rubbish and recycling out by 7am on their collection day, so they don’t miss their collection, and to recycle as much as they can.”

Service

Cornwall council is introducing weekly food waste and fortnightly rubbish and recycling collections to all households across the county.

The service will be rolled out in five stages, area by area. The roll out will start later this year. Food waste containers and a wheelie bin or protective sack will be supplied to each household in advance.

Cornwall council’s collections are carried out by Biffa and it recorded a 34% recycling rate in 2021/22.