New plan to improve recycling rates across borough of Great Yarmouth

The plan has been drawn up after analysis showed that a quarter of all waste put out for recycling in the borough is contaminated and has to go to landfill sites.

Officers said that, despite education campaigns and initiatives to reduce contamination, the situation needs to improve.

Now residents, businesses and visitors are being asked to help play their part in making sure less recycling is contaminated and that bins are used more effectively.

As part of the initiative, waste collection crews on their rounds will check recycling bins before they are emptied. If the contents of the bin is contaminated the householder will receive a letter explaining that the bin could not be emptied and highlighting how it was spoiled. No 'bin inspector' staff are being employed for the work, it will merely become part of the crews' routine rounds.

The letter will also include information around what can and cannot be recycled and advice on how to manage household waste more effectively. The work mirrors that undertaken by many other local authorities which are also suffering from similar problems of contaminated waste.

The letters will be followed up by visits from the council's team if the problems persist so people can receive advice in person.

Councillor Paul Wells, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, Licensing and Waste, said: ''We know recycling is important to our residents, but we simply have to reduce the amount of recycled waste that is contaminated.

''Waste reduction is a real priority and we want to educate people so that bins are used better. Recycling well is key, but so is using our bins properly. For instance, simply leaving the lid of a bin open means gulls and other animals rip open bags causing street litter problems.''

In a report to the Cabinet, officers explained that a single contaminated bin affects the entire lorry load, making a lot of what other people have correctly disposed of no longer recyclable.

The new initiative has already been successfully trialled in parts of Belton and Bradwell where the contamination rate has now fallen below ten per cent for the first time. Following that success, the plan is to roll out the process across the rest of the borough over the coming months.

Councillor Wells said: ''We all have to work together to help improve our environment to reduce waste, stop litter and increase our recycling rates. We know our residents want to help improve our communities and this extra level of advice and support will hopefully see real progress.

''Something as simple as us putting the wrong waste in the wrong bin can have a huge impact and the more we are all educated to achieve the best results, the better it is for us and our communities.''

For more information and advice about waste and recycling in Great Yarmouth please see https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling