Council introduces dual stream recycling service

A new dual stream recycling service has begun to roll out over Cannock Chase with the aim of improving the quality of the district 's recycling.

New blue bags to recycle paper and cardboard made their way to residents in May and will give residents additional recycling capacity and result in better quality recycling by avoiding contamination.

The Council 's contract for the sorting of dry mixed recycling came to an end earlier this year and their new contract includes the requirement for paper and card to be collected separately to all other dry recycling materials.

If the Council were to continue to recycle as before they we would have seen a fourfold cost increase to Cannock Chase taxpayers for the processing of dry recycling per tonne.

Improvements in quality mean that more of the materials collected can be recycled instead of being incinerated or landfilled. It is understood that most co-mingled dry recycling collections across the country will change to this type of collection over the next few years.

Councillor Justin Johnson, portfolio leader for Environment and Climate Change said “The introduction of the blue bag, alongside our neighbouring authorities, is to ensure that our service reflects the national changes in the waste and recycling industry.

“The dual stream service will not only give residents additional capacity to recycle, it will also ensure that any paper and card recycled, isn 't contaminated, by keeping it separate from other dry recycling.

“I know this is a big change for residents but it 's a change we need to make to future proof the service. There is an extensive Frequently Asked Questions page on our website for residents that want to know more.

“We are extremely grateful to all of our residents who continue to recycle correctly and help to ensure that we don 't have any contaminated loads. ”

Pictured: Councillor Justin Johnson showcasing the new blue recycling bags