Recycling history

This page highlights the history of recycling in the borough. The page outlines the key years when different types of materials were introduced to the recycling service.

The early years

Recycling skips for recycling glass and paper first appeared in the borough in 1990. In 1992, a green bag scheme was implemented for the collection and recycling of cans, plastic bottles and paper. The service ran on a fortnightly basis.

Since its introduction, the service has expanded and now enables residents to recycle a number of different items.

2003

A bid for the National Recycling and Waste Minimisation Fund was placed in September 2002. We were awarded the fund and thus the service was changed to a weekly collection in 2003. Brown bags were also introduced to collect cardboard. A garden waste collection system was trialled in some areas of the borough.

2004

A kerbside glass collection system was trialled. Mobile bottle banks were placed in areas where the kerbside glass system did not exist. The garden waste service was expanded further into the borough.

2005

The kerbside glass collection system became permanent and was expanded to other areas in the borough. The garden waste collection system also became permanent and introduced to the entire borough. Additional bottle banks were sited in the borough. Aluminium foil collection banks were also introduced in the borough.

2006

Additional items were introduced to the brown recycling bags. The green and brown bag contents were changed.

The green bags should be used for cans and plastic bottles only. The brown bags should only be used for paper, cardboard, magazines, newspapers, telephone directories, catalogues and envelopes.

2009

Recycling of tetrapak containers at the local recycling sites was introduced. The service became very popular.

2011

The kerbside recycling services was extended to accept tetrapaks, aluminium foil and take away containers, aerosol cans and plastics that were previously not recyclable such as yogurt and margarine tubs.

A kerbside textile and clothing collection service was also introduced in early 2011. Such materials can be placed in a brown bag for collection.

Please visit the household waste collection page for more information on recycling other types of waste.