One million tonnes of Norfolk's recycling is processed

Recycling collections from across the county are taken to the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at Costessey where they are checked for quality, sorted into different materials using machinery, baled up and sent on to be recycled. 
And it's thanks to householders and businesses that one million tonnes of paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, steel and aluminium have been kept out of the general waste and are being used as a valuable resource. 

Cllr John Fisher, Chairman of the Norfolk Waste Partnership, said: "This is a fantastic achievement by everyone who recycles in Norfolk. 

"As a county, we already have a recycling rate which is above the national average and with your help, we can continue to improve on this. 

"The three key rules when recycling in Norfolk are to rinse your recyclables out, let them dry and then put them loose into your recycling bin. Nothing in bags please."

The one million tonnes have come from kerbside collections across the county since the MRF first opened for processing in April 2004. 

Many items which cannot be recycled also find their way into the MRF each year, including about 400,000 nappies, which have caused issues when going through the machinery. 

"We'd like to remind everyone that nappies are rubbish and not recycling and should go in your household waste bin, not your recycling bin," said Cllr Fisher.

For more information about what can and cannot be recycled in Norfolk, please visit Norfolk Recycles (opens new window)

Issued on behalf of Norfolk Waste Partnership on August 10, 2018