Blackpool’s new household bin collections have recycled more than 572 tonnes of food waste since launching in April, Enveco NW reports. The service, introduced as part of the government’s Simpler Recycling initiative, has seen food waste tonnage climb by 57% over the first eight weeks.
More than 188,000 new recycling bins and food waste caddies have been delivered to homes across the borough. Paper and card recycling is up by more than 20% compared with the old brown sack system, while garden waste subscriptions have grown by 19% after the annual charge was cut to £30. Grey bin collections now take place every three weeks to encourage residents to use the new recycling services.
Blackpool’s recycling rate previously stood at 45%, one of the highest in Lancashire, but still short of the national 65% target for 2035. The gathered food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion plant and turned into renewable energy and products for farming. Brown sack collections have ended entirely, replaced by a brown bin service for eligible properties.
Enveco NW and Blackpool Council plan to deliver 20,000 larger blue recycling bins across the town in the next phase of the rollout. Requests for bigger blue bins are on hold until the borough-wide deliveries finish. A network of community bin hubs has also been installed to give more recycling options to homes without wheeled bins.
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