For more information, to request a service or make a complaint
please contact Environmental Services:
Telephone: 01638 719284
Email:
es@forest-heath.gov.uk
Forest Heath District Council operates a kerbside collection of dry
recyclable waste and provides blue wheeled bins free of charge to
residents.
The bins are emptied every two weeks by a dedicated collection
service and the waste is transported to the purpose built transfer
station at Lackford, where it is checked and bulked for
transportation to the Material Recycling Facility (MRF) at Great
Blakenham. The MRF sorts the recyclable material and sends it
off for recycling.
During 2006/2007 4,590 tonnes of recyclable waste was collected
from Forest Heath.
The council works with Viridor Waste Management and the other
Suffolk authorities to ensure a high quality service is
provided and end use markets are available for the material
collected.
Blue Bin Facts
Q: How much of my waste can be recycled /
composted?
A: A waste analysis last year showed that approximately 60%
of the waste stream can be recycled and we are hoping that by
introducing the blue bin collection we can achieve a
recycling/composting rate of 60%
Q : Was the introduction of this scheme funded
by my council tax?
A: No, the introduction of this
scheme was funded through the DEFRA Waste Minimisation and
Recycling Fund which has been given to only a few councils.
Q: What happens to the waste that is put in the
blue bins?
A: The material from the blue bins is taken
to a transfer station where it is bulked up and then sent
to a materials recycling facility where it is sorted and
transported for onward processing and recycling.
Q: Can I wrap my blue bin waste?
A:
No, please do not wrap the blue bin waste. Any material that
is wrapped holds up the sorting process as the bag has to be split
open.
Q: Why are contaminated blue bins
rejected?
A: The waste in the blue bin is partly
sorted by hand and contaminated material (eg. pet waste) stops the
process. Glass could cause injury.
Blue Bin Tips
Please follow the advice below when using your blue bin:
- Do not overfill your bin or make it too heavy. Excess
recyclable waste can be taken to your
local recycling centre or subject to prior agreement, may
be placed in your neighbour's bin.
- Please put your bin out at the correct location, on your
designated collection day and by 6.30am. Return your bin
as soon as possible following collection. Do not leave your
bin out any longer than it needs to be!
- Only place the correct recyclable material in the bin. If
your bin contains the wrong material it will not be emptied and you
will be responsible for removing the contamination.
Contaminated vehicle loads entering the transfer station will be
rejected. For a full list of what can go in each bin
click here.
- Do not place waste beside the bin for collection - we do not
accept 'side waste'.
- Please put your house name / number on your bin for ease of
recognition.
- Please do not wrap blue bin recyclables in plastic bags or
black bags. Recyclables should be clean, loose and dry.
- Glass and textiles cannot be put in your blue bin as glass
contaminates the rest of the material and is dangerous for the
sorters, textiles clog up the machines. Please
take glass and textiles to your nearest recycling
centre.
- Please remove tops from all plastic bottles and put them both
in to the blue bin.
- Please rinse all dry recyclables before putting them into the
blue bin as this will make it easier for sorting at the materials
recycling facility
- Please do not put carrier bags in the blue bin: many
supermarkets are now changing to biodegradable carrier bags that
are not recyclable. Please re-use them, return them to
the supermarket or use to wrap your black bin waste.
Further information and
advice
If you would like....
- Information about the blue bin scheme
- Details of collection dates and times
- Confirmation of your inclusion on the scheme
- To report a missing or damaged bin
- To request a blue bin
- To report a missed collection
- To make a complaint about the service that you have
received
... please contact Environmental Services above.
Additional information is available from the following
website(s):