How do I get involved?
Let’s Talk North Yorkshire is continuing with our latest conversation. To receive updates about Let’s Talk, sign up to Commonplace below.
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Let's Talk Rubbish
Take part in our current Let’s Talk conversation and help shape the future of household recycling collections in North Yorkshire.
Take part in Let's Talk Rubbish
You can also take part in Let’s Talk Rubbish in the following ways:
Let’s Talk
North Yorkshire Council
County Hall
Northallerton
DL7 8AD
Accessible formats of the survey are available on request.
Please share your views and encourage your colleagues, friends and family to do the same!
The survey closes on 16 September 2024.
We will also be at locations across North Yorkshire over the summer where you can ask us any questions about the Let's Talk Rubbish consultation and fill in the survey. You don't need to book - just come along on the day. Find out how to meet us in person on Commonplace, our survey website.
Watch our short animation about the proposal for recycling collections.
Why we are reviewing how we collect recyclable waste
This information explains why we are asking you about your household rubbish and recycling in our survey.
We formed the new North Yorkshire Council in April 2023. Before then, the seven former borough and district councils collected all household waste. Although we now provide the same collection service for non-recyclable waste and garden waste, recycling is still collected in different ways across the county.
We want to make the recycling collection service the same for all North Yorkshire residents.
This will help us to:
- make the best use of resources
- provide value for money
We also need to improve recycling collections to meet the requirements of the Environment Act 2021. The UK Government expects all councils to recycle 65 percent of their waste by 2035.
How we recycle now
We reviewed our current recycling collection methods. We identified three different options for further investigation:
Option 1: All recycling in one 240-litre wheelie bin collected fortnightly
Option 2: Separate recycling boxes for each material, collected fortnightly
Option 3: Two 240-litre wheelie bins (one for glass, cans and plastic, and one for paper and card), with alternate fortnightly collections
For each of the three shortlisted options, we have looked at:
- Value for money
- Contamination
- Carbon reduction
1. Value for money
Recycling with wheelie bins (option 1 and 3) requires the fewest vehicles, highlighting the efficiency of using wheelie bins and single compartment vehicles.
- Option 1 (all recycling in one wheelie bin) could see the lowest decrease in total costs and the least value for money. Higher contamination levels combined with lower quality material could result in higher treatment costs and less income
- Option 2 (separate recycling boxes) could see the second highest cost saving, but needs the most staff, due to the high number of vehicles required to operate the service
- Option 3 (two 240-litre wheelie bins for glass, cans and plastic, and paper and card collected alternate fortnightly) could see the highest cost reduction
With all options, there are extra costs for containers and vehicles. These costs will be minimised by changing vehicles as they reach the end of their life.
2. Contamination
Other local authorities have found that contamination (non-recyclable items) is lower when residents sort materials (options 2 and 3). As part of any changes, we would provide information to all residents about recycling effectively and helping to increase recycling rates.
3. Carbon reduction
Emissions, from collections and onward haulage of recyclable material, is the only area that impacts the total amount from the baseline. Only small, marginal changes are observed across all options.
Other things to consider with bags and boxes (option 2):
- issues with recycling items escaping from boxes and bags on windy days
- paper collected in bags or boxes becomes wet when it rains and can be rejected by paper mills meaning further costs and reduced income
- wheelie bins are much easier to use and empty, with less manual handling involved for residents and collection crews
Conclusion
Following an review of the different collection methods, option 3 (two wheelie bins, one for glass, cans and plastic, and one for paper and card, with alternate fortnightly collections) has been identified as the preferred collection method for most properties. Fortnightly collection of non-recyclable rubbish will continue.
- Option 3 provides best value for money, as high-quality recyclable materials would be presented at the kerbside. These can be sold to manufacturers to recycle and make new products
- two wheelie bins would help residents recycle more much material. A third wheelie bin is provided for normal rubbish. Residents can continue to opt in for a garden waste collection
- properties with limited storage or access would still need other methods of collection. This may include sack collections and communal or different sized bins, as used now