Residents in the former Richmondshire area are set to benefit from an improved recycling service, as wheelie bins are delivered as part of a countywide roll-out.
Under the new service, residents will have alternate fortnightly household recycling collections: one for paper and card, and one for all other recyclable materials, including glass, cans, plastics and cartons. This model already operates in the former Selby and Ryedale areas of the county, where it has increased the amount and quality of recycling collected at the kerbside, reduced the cost of collection, generated a higher value when processed, and helped towards carbon reduction. It also supports North Yorkshire Council’s requirement, under the Environment Act 2021, to increase recycling and collect paper and card separately.
A recent survey of residents in the former Ryedale area found that 83% of respondents were very happy or happy with the new recycling system, and 85% found it very easy or easy to use. 51% of residents said they were recycling more as a result, and 81% said the new system would improve recycling across North Yorkshire.
Fit for the future
Councillor Richard Foster, the council’s executive member for waste services, said: “We need to make sure our recycling service continues to offer value for money and remains fit for the future, while doing everything we can to boost recycling rates and support our carbon-reduction goals.”
He added: “So we are now rolling out the improved service to former Richmondshire residents and will be writing to them this week advising them to keep an eye out for their wheelie bins, which will be delivered in the coming weeks.”
He continued: “We understand that any change to rubbish and recycling collections can take some getting used to, but feedback from residents who are already using the service has been overwhelmingly positive. These results should provide reassurance to residents that the changes are working well and delivering real environmental benefits.”
The new collections will start in October, with the council writing to residents again in late September with further information about when they can begin using their new bins. Further information is available on the council’s Right Thing Right Bin page. For the rest of the county, the changes will be rolled out in phases.
