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Wrap (a climate action Non Governmental Organisation) recently published its national recycling tracker, showing that 90% of UK households regularly recycle. This year we conducted our own participation research (which helps us to understand locally how many households in Somerset regularly recycle).
We conduct this research once every five years and when we last surveyed residents, we found that our participation rate was 85%. We are pleased that we're now above the national average, our rate has risen to an impressive 91% (excluding food waste). Our food waste recycling participation is lower at 72%, a higher than average amount but we know there is more we can all do.
Our research shows that the average Somerset waste bin contains 48% recyclable materials. Don’t forget that our expanded recycling collections now mean that most of your waste can be recycled in your weekly collection. This should reduce the burden on your bin – it will also get collected quicker than if you were to throw it out.
Visit our Household recycling collections webpage for a reminder of what goes where.
Or if you need a replacement container, you can order one for free online.
SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, the waste and recycling collections contractor for Somerset Council, is looking for businesses in Somerset to host litter picking stations in their local area.
Litter picking stations are an initiative of 'The 2 Minute Foundation'. The stations (usually an A-frame board) provide the equipment needed to do a litter pick of the local area. Designed to encourage passers-by to pick up a litter picker and spend two minutes (or however much time they have) picking up waste.
Suez recently sponsored three refill kits for established stations on a yearly basis as well as the placement of a new station in Brean. Suez are funding an additional limited number of ‘2 minute clean up stations’ to be placed around Somerset.
Suez are looking for suitable locations and guardians who are happy to manage a station. As part of the funding, they will ask for feedback on the usage of the kits.
If you're interested in hosting a station and you'd like more information or to apply, email somersetinfo.uk@suez.com. If you'd like to apply, please provide information about your business and why you think a board would be a good addition to the local area.
This opportunity is part of Suez’s Social Value and Environmental commitment.
 You may have heard about the Government’s recent announcement following its proposed ‘Simpler Recycling’ consultation.
The outcomes ask every local authority to collect the same materials for recycling via a weekly collection. The materials include:
- paper and card;
- plastic bottles;
- pots tubs and trays;
- glass bottles and jars;
- metal food and drinks cans;
- cartons;
- aluminium foil;
- food waste; and
- to provide a garden waste subscription service.
As you’ll be aware, we already collect all the items for most of our residents, meaning little change will be seen to collections. For residents in flats, food waste and carton collections will need to be introduced.
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