Bradley Stoke in one of three areas in South Gloucestershire that have been chosen to take part in a trial to collect plastic bags and wrapping from households as part of the normal weekly recycling collections.
The trial is part of the drive to increase the amount of packaging that can be recycled, in order to protect the environment.
Plastics such as plastic bags, confectionary wrappers, foil lined packaging, plastic film and more will be collected from approximately 2,000 households in South Gloucestershire in the first year of a potential three-year trial.
Collections will begin from 17th October 2022, with selected households from parts of Bradley Stoke, Chipping Sodbury and Olveston taking part. If successful, the number of homes included will be expanded in 2023, rolling out to all households in the district in 2025.
The initial trial will include a variety of family sizes and housing types, and those selected to take part will be sent information on how to use the service along with collection bags before the new plastic bags and wrapping collection launches.
At present, the most convenient way to recycle plastic bags and wrapping is at collection points within larger supermarkets (such as the Tesco Extra store in Bradley Stoke, as previously reported by the Journal). This trial will help change that by informing government and industry how plastic bags and wrapping should be added to existing household recycling collection services ahead of the introduction of consistent collections for all households in England in 2027.
SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, who operate household waste collection services on behalf of the council, are working in partnership with leading industry organisations WRAP, RECOUP and Ecosurety to oversee the operation of the trial and arrange for the plastics to be recycled.
South Gloucestershire Council was chosen following a rigorous selection process against a range of criteria to establish their suitability for the project. The council was very keen to be included and local MPs Luke Hall and Chris Skidmore secured a debate in Parliament to raise the issue of recycling this type of plastic with government.
South Gloucestershire Cabinet member with responsibility for waste services, Cllr Rachael Hunt, said:
“We’re delighted to be a part of this trial. When we declared a climate emergency, we said we wanted to play our part and take meaningful steps to reduce our environmental impact and protect the world around us. People in South Gloucestershire are fully engaged with recycling, which puts us in a great position to be a part of this pioneering work.”
“Working alongside our residents, we have a great recycling rate; we are the fifth [ranked] council of our kind in the country when it comes to recycling, performing well above the national average.”
“We have a comprehensive, great value recycling collection service already, which makes the materials we collect easily recyclable and better able to be used to make new products and avoid sending unnecessary waste to landfill.”
“Recycling is a simple way for everyone to take action to reduce carbon emissions and help us reach our climate emergency declaration target of net zero by 2030. This trial will help us understand how we can collect more with our current recycling service and what is needed to expand the service.”
Thornbury & Yate MP Luke Hall said:
“It is fantastic news that South Gloucestershire will be part of this national trial to collect plastic bags and wrapping from the kerbside, which will increase access to recycling and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.”
“Delivering plastic bag and wrapping recycling is a key part of our Positive Plan for the Environment in South Gloucestershire and I want to thank everyone who has supported this initiative.”
For more information, visit www.recyclenow.com/plastic-wrapping
What you can include
If you’re wondering what type of plastic bags and wrapping can be included in your collection bag, see the list below. Correct at the time of writing. For definitive information, please refer to information provided by the council should your home be selected to take part in the trial.
- All plastic bags – carrier bags, salad/fruit/vegetable bags, frozen food bags, bread bags, cereal bags, flower bags
- Confectionary wrappers – chocolate, sweets, biscuits, cakes, ice cream and chewing gum wrappers
- Foil lined packaging – crisp packets, snack packets, coffee bags
- Outer layer bags and wrapping – multipack, toilet and kitchen roll, magazine, and newspaper wrapping
- Cheese, fish, and meat wrapping
- Pouches, sachets, and packets – microwaveable food, cosmetics, detergent, and cleaning pouches (not baby food or pet pouches)
- Plastic film and sleeves – removable film lids, plastic sleeves for bottles and jars
- Bubble wrap and cling film
- Fruit and vegetable net bags
Roll out to further homes
UPDATE added 21st February 2024.
Councillor Question raised at a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council on 21st February 2024:
Question 91 of 2023/24 asked by Cllr Rachael Hunt:
What plans do you have to further roll out soft plastic recycling in South Gloucestershire?
Answer from the the Executive Member for Communities and Local Place:
The plan is that we will be rolling out to 25 percent of properties in April 2024 with the delivery of leaflets and bags with collections starting at the end of April 2024. We will then roll out to the remaining households towards the end of 2025 when we have our new collection contract in place.
