It’s been something Bedfordians have asked to have for years and it could divert 1,500 tonnes of glass from landfill sites – Bedford Borough Council is finally trialling glass recycling collections.
The trial will take place over nine months in a few streets in a few areas but it could lead to the service being rolled out across the Borough.
Streets included in the trial will be in:
- West Kempston
- Keysoe
- Riseley
- Pertenhall
Residents there will be able to recycle glass bottles and jars directly in their orange-lidded bins during the trial.
Homes included will have a leaflet through the door and also find a trial sticker placed on their orange-lidded bin so that they know they are included.
Bedford Borough Council say they already collect over 2,700 tonnes of glass each year through glass banks at mini-recycling sites, research shows that an estimated 1,500 additional tonnes of glass still ends up in domestic black bins.
It’s hoped the trial will capture missed glass and boost overall recycling rates.
During the trial council officers will look at the impact on existing collection rounds and what adaptations may need to be introduced.
They’ll also look at fluctuations in the amount of glass in the bins, especially during the summer and Christmas & New Year when the amount of waste glass is at its highest.
A Bedford Borough spokesperson said, “We are pleased to launch this trial that will make recycling glass bottles and jars even easier for residents. This initiative is expected to increase our borough’s recycling rates.”
- Glass that can be placed in the orange buns during the trial includes:
- Glass bottles (any colour or size)
- Glass jars (e.g., for sauces, jam, baby food)
- Non-food glass bottles (e.g., perfume, aftershave, face cream)
Glass that can’t be placed in orange bins includes:
- Drinking glasses
- Glass cookware (e.g., Pyrex, microwave oven plates)
- Vases
- Window or greenhouse panes
These should be taken to a household waste recycling centre (HWRC) or in black bins.
“Bedford Borough Council encourages residents selected for the trial to participate and help make Bedford Borough a more sustainable community,” added a council spokesperson.
To find out more head to bedford.gov.uk/mybins. Residents not included in the trial will be able to continue taking their glass bottles and jars to their closest mini-recycling site. To find yours head to bedford.gov.uk/MiniRecyclingSites.
