PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Gill Gardiner
Cabinet Member for Environment
Date of Issue: April 3rd 2008
Contact number: 0151 625 2738

RECYCLING RATES SET TO RISE - AGAIN

It might have the highest recycling rates on Merseyside, but Wirral Council is determined not to rest on its laurels.

Councillor Gill Gardiner, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Environment, said,

“Thanks to the fantastic support of thousands of residents, Wirral's recycling rates have soared from 14% in 2006/07 to 32% today, peaking at 38% in the summer thanks to the garden waste collections.

“We now want to give those residents the opportunity to beat our already brilliant record, and visitors can join in too.”

Proposals before this week's Cabinet mean that recycling could ‘take to the streets' with recycling litter bins.

A pilot scheme is being put forward for on-street recycling facilities in retail areas and tourist/visitor locations as well as recycling event bins for use during festivals, shows and special events. If the pilot is successful, similar recycling facilities will be extended to include parks and open spaces.

Home composting could also be given a boost with free or subsidised home compost bins being considered, including the “green cone” bin, suitable for composting meat and vegetable waste.

Recycling facilities will also be extended to ‘multi-occupancy' properties - fla ts - increasing the number of recycling households by 7000.

Councillor Gill Gardiner welcomed the proposals saying,

“Projects such as these will enable Wirral Council to divert more waste away from landfill.

“With landfill taxes rising, this will save Wirral council tax payers money and at the same time reduce our impact on climate change. It's a win-win situation all round.”

Click here for the full report on Wirral's new recycling opportunities