New waste and recycling arrangements- one year on… North Hertfordshire District Council changed its waste and recycling service in October 2007.

Residents in North Herts have proved their commitment to the environment by sending less waste to landfill and recycling more.  It is now over a year since NHDC introduced the revised waste and recycling arrangements to protect the environment, help residents to recycle more and control the growing cost of waste.

Recycling rates rose dramatically during the first year of the new arrangements, introduced in October 2007.

In 2006/7 the district’s recycling/composting rate was 33% but six months after the new system was introduced it reached 40%, an increase of 7% at year end (March 08).

From April - October 2008, the amount of waste sent to landfill reduced by over 800 tonnes per month, or 28%.  200 extra tonnes of organic material per month for composting instead of landfill.

Large graph

Many residents are finding they need to put very little in their grey bins, some households are putting out just three or four carrier bags full every fortnight.  Residents have also responded well to the introduction of food waste into their brown bins with unlimited cardboard and garden waste.

“These tremendous results have only been possible because our residents have responded so well to the urgent need to throw away less and recycle more”, said Cllr Lynda Needham, NHDC Portfolio  Holder for Waste and Recycling.

“We realise that this has meant a big change and thanks are due to residents for adapting so well.”

We still need to do more, if you currently do not use your doorstep recycling collection service, please visit what can I put in my recycling boxes and brown bin to find out what you can recycle and help to protect your environment and control the growing cost of waste.  The landfill site that most of our waste goes into was due to be full and close in the Summer 2009.  Even with the increased efforts from residents recycling more, too much waste is still being sent to landfill.  Unfortunately because of this, our landfill may close months earlier than expected.

Hertfordshire councils are aiming to recycle 50 per cent by 2012 or in later years large financial penalties may be imposed by central government if UK and European targets are not met.  As well as recycling, there are challenging targets to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being landfilled, based on 1995 levels; 75% in 2010, 50% in 2013 and only 35% in 2020.  If we are unable to meet these targets we will face huge penalties.  For every tonne of extra rubbish that is dumped at landfill, we will be fined up to £150.  Therefore it is vital that we act now, as we are likely to be paying fines as early as 2009/10.

Plastic bottle sites

The plastic bottle banks continue to be well used and we are still actively seeking new sites.  If you know of any suitable sites which could house a plastic bottle bank, please contact us on 0800 3286023 with the details.

In order to make the sites run as smoothly as possible, please remember:

Not to leave bags of plastic bottles or empty bags beside the bank, they create litter.

Don’t assume a bank is full because bags are dumped beside it.  Check both openings of the bank.  If the front seems full there will often be space at the back.

Don’t put anything but plastic bottles in the plastic bank.  Glass contaminates the entire load.  Glass can be put in your black box or one of the glass banks.

NHDC also has eight food and drink carton banks which are being well used.

For a list of existing recycling points, including plastic bottles and cartons visit our page Recycling Points in North Hertfordshire

How does the waste and recycling service work?

Your grey waste bin is collected every other week with your brown bin collected the week in between.  Your recycling boxes are collected with your brown bin.  Every week you will get a collection of either waste or recycling.

Blue box for paper

Black box for glass, steel and aluminium cans and aerosols.  These items can be mixed in this box; do not need to be kept separate

Brown bins for food waste, cardboard and garden waste

Excess recycling (paper, cans and glass) can also be collected from you.  Please separate these materials and put in containers next to recycling boxes so they are easily visible.  (please do not place recyclable material in black sacks)

Look up your waste and recycling collection day

Waste and recycling arrangements - one year on...