Carlisle residents given more opportunities to recycle

(Date of issue: Friday, 20 June 2008)

Carlisle residents are being given more opportunities to recycle their plastic household waste, following the opening of 20 new local recycling points.

Carlisle City Council is piloting the new scheme in locations in the rural and urban areas. They aim to provide householders, who currently do not have a kerbside collection, to have a recycling site close by. A total of 33 new plastic banks have opened for use and will be monitored over a three-month period.

The following sites are now available to the public to recycle their plastics: Harraby Green Business Park; Paddy’s Market car park; Lower Viaduct car park; Sands Centre car park; Civic Centre car park; The Pheasant Inn, Cumwhitton Hallbankgate co-op; Scalby Village Hall; Heathersgill Village Hall; Low Row Railway Inn; Robin Hood pub, Smithfield; Walton Village Hall; Roadhead Village Hall; Stapleton Village Hall; Moat Village Hall, the Blacksmiths Arms, Talkin Tarn.

The expansion of the plastic recycling scheme follows on from the publication of new recycling figures, which reveal that Carlisle City Council has the highest recycling rate in Cumbria. Since the introduction of a new look waste collection scheme in Carlisle last March, residents are recycling nearly half their household rubbish. Carlisle City Council is reporting a dramatic rise in recycling rates since the scheme was introduced to the first round of households. Carlisle residents recycled a staggering 48.78% of their waste in 2007/2008, compared to 34.51% in 2006/2007.

Carlisle City Council has expanded the range of materials that can be recycled. This includes plastic, cardboard, glass, paper and garden waste.

Carlisle City Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure said:

"Carlisle residents have a great track record when it comes to recycling and we are one of the best performing recycling areas in the UK, but we are always striving to increase the amount of waste we recycle. The new plastic recycling points provide even more opportunities for residents to recycle."

Plastic recycling is also available at additional sites, including local supermarkets. Plans are also in place to provide a plastic recycling site at Greystone Community Centre this autumn. A full list of recycling points is available by visiting the City Council’s website.