Clarity Needed on Blue Bin Recycling

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Marks is calling on the Council to be clearer about what cannot be recycled in a blue bin. Stickers placed on 'contaminated' bins say what can be recycled but are not explicit about what is forbidden.

From talking to the person who emptied my blue bin yesterday, I understand that they are under strict instructions to refuse to empty contaminated bins. They open the top and if they see material like crisp packets and polythene bags, they slap a sticker on the bin. I have had complaints from residents asking why their bins have not been emptied. I have been walking round looking inside bins with stickers and I can see what the problem is. I understand why this policy is being put into effect because anything that improves the Council's recycling rate is welcome.

However, I strongly believe there needs to be much more clarity about the policy otherwise there will be big problems. We need another sticker that explicitly states what common items that are not acceptable in blue bins. As well as crisp packets, confectionary wrappers, polythene bags, gloves worn by carers and polystyrene there will be other items which the bin-men will know about. There is also confusion about whether black plastic food containers should go in a blue bin or not.

I have written to the Council asking them to produce another sticker as a matter of urgency to give clarity to the public.