Plastic Bottle Recycling

Published on 2 December 2005

With thousands of plastic bottles being stocked up for Christmas, Epping Forest District Council is encouraging residents to recycle their empties.

The introduction of plastic bottle recycling to Epping Forest District Council’s refuse collection service is seen as a vital ingredient in the drive to cut landfill waste disposal. Plastic bottles may not weigh much individually, but hundreds of tonnes are thrown away by residents every year. They are also very bulky, taking up a large volume in landfill disposal sites.

Plastic bottle recycling has been included within the Council’s domestic recycling collection service since 31 October but not all residents realise they should no longer be thrown out with wheelie bin or black sack rubbish collections.

Councillor Derek Jacobs, Environmental Protection Portfolio Holder for Epping Forest District Council said: “People have been asking us for quite a while when we would introduce plastic bottle recycling and I am pleased to say it is now in place right across the district. After removing the lids, just give your plastic bottles a quick rinse and put them in your clear recycling sacks with your other dry recycling such as paper, card and tin cans. For big plastic drinks bottles it is a good idea to squash them flat. Other plastic bottles such as shampoo, shower gel, bleach and bubble bath containers are also recyclable.”

Free clear sacks are available from Council Information Centres and a range of other outlets for recycling of plastic bottles and other materials. Recycling can also be put out for collection in supermarket carrier bags and cardboard boxes.

Not all types of plastic are currently suitable for recycling but the range of recyclable materials is gradually increasing. Councillor Jacobs said: “For example, there are many different types of plastic, some of which we can recycle now such as bottles and some that we can’t such as the bottle lids, yogurt pots and clingfilm which should be disposed of in your wheelie bin or black sack. However, as technology improves and the markets for recycled materials grow, the range of things we can recycle will continue to increase.”

For information on the nearest clear recycling sack outlet call Epping Forest District Council on 01992 564608 or go to www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk and click on the wheelie bin.