Dorset extends collections to include mixed plastics

Residents in Christchurch and east Dorset will be the first to benefit from the service when it is introduced later this year, and the service will be rolled out across the rest of the area by 2015.

Sorting

According to Steve Burdis, director of the DWP, the authority will be able to collect mixed plastics as a result of switching to a more involved sorting process. Recyclables will be collected commingled from households, and will be sorted at a materials recycling facility (MRF) by contractor Weymouth & Sherborne Recycling.

Speaking to letsrecycle.com Mr Burdis said: The markets for mixed plastics have got better, and we recognise that our residents want to be able to recycle a greater variety of plastics.

The Dorset Waste Partnership was formed in December 2010 and handles waste services on behalf of seven councils from the Dorset area Dorset county council, Christchurch borough council, East Dorset district council, North Dorset district council, Purbeck district council, West Dorset district council and Weymouth & Portland borough council (see letsrecycle.com story).

Recycle for Dorset

The collection changes are being introduced as part of the recycle for Dorset service, which will replace the 12 different collection services across Dorsets six districts, and was formally approved by the DWPs six members in January 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story). The councils predict that by implementing the recycle for Dorset service, costs will be reduced by around 2 million a year, and help to increase the countys recycling rate from 50% to 65%.

Councillor Hilary Cox, chair of the Dorset Waste Partnership Joint Committee, said: Being able to recycle mixed plastics as part of the new recycle for Dorset service is great news for residents because it will be quicker and easier not having to sort which plastics can be recycled.

This will be an improvement to the service residents currently receive and reduce the amount of rubbish we send to landfill, which damages the environment and costs us millions of pounds in tax every year. It will also enable councils to recover value by selling these materials to recycling markets, helping to improve efficiency.