Household waste centres boost Staffordshire recycling

Three-quarters of waste brought to Staffordshire’s household waste recycling centres is now being recycled, with most non-recyclable material being used to produce energy.

 Staffordshire County Council’s communities and environment leader Gill Heath said the ability to recycle more items thanks to a new contract starting three years ago was making its mark. Gill highlighted the success during national Recycling Week, which runs until Sunday 25th September.

People can recycle a wide range of materials at the 14 centres across the county; including carpets, cooking oil, furniture and large electrical appliances.

In addition to the household waste recycling facilities, small businesses and sole traders can benefit from a trade waste service provided at the centres at affordable prices. The centres also facilitate better handling of larger items of waste and allow more efficient disposal of fly-tipped waste collected by district and borough councils. 

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Gill Heath said:

It is pleasing to see that around three-quarters of waste taken to our household waste recycling centres is re-used since the new contract began three years ago. The ability to recycle a wider range of items has proved popular and longer opening hours has improved accessibility. Recycling Week gives us an opportunity to remind people that they have these facilities on their doorstep. “Improvements at our centres and with the doorstep recycling service have certainly made a difference.”

 People can find out what can be recycled at each centre and when they’re open by visiting www.staffordshire.gov.uk and clicking on the tips and recycling icon on the homepage.

Much of the non-recyclable waste from the centres goes to the Staffordshire Energy Recovery Facility at Four Ashes in the south of the county. It uses non-recyclable waste to generate enough electricity to power 66,000 homes– which reduces the need to generate from fossil fuels.