Kerbside plastics recycling to be introduced in Cheltenham (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Kerbside plastics recycling to be introduced in Cheltenham

January 8, 2010 2:08 PM

Martin Horwood MP and Councillor Roger Whyborn display some of the plastic bottles that Cheltenham residents will be able to put in their recycling bins from this April thanks to the Lib Dem council

Liberal Democrat Councillor Roger Whyborn, Cheltenham Borough Council Cabinet Member for Waste and Sustainability, today said:

"I am pleased to announce that I will be bringing a proposal to the Borough Council's Cabinet to start collecting plastic bottles as part of the kerbside box recycling scheme.

"This will further reduce the amount of Cheltenham's household waste which is sent to landfill. The scheme, which is subject to approval on Tuesday 19th January, will start rolling out in phases across Cheltenham in April and through the Spring and Summer.

"Council officers have come up with a plan which involves reorganising the Swindon Road depot which will save a lot of vehicle mileage, and reduce the council's carbon footprint by 68 tonnes per year.

"Members of the public should notice less queuing of vehicles when they visit the recycling centre. The only downside will be that the public area of the depot will be moved outside to the open air. Because recycled waste will be taken to the Swindon Road instead of Stoke Orchard, there will be a reduction in the number of Council lorries carrying recycled waste through the residential areas around Swindon village and a saving of £27,000 a year will be made.

"The ability to recycle plastic bottles at the kerbside is something which the public has wanted for some time. Along with recycling of cardboard, it fulfils what the Liberal Democrat administration promised in its 2008 election manifesto."