Move to recycle more plastics welcomed by Independent councillors

From 1 October, West Lancashire residents will be able to easily recycle more plastic waste following changes made by Lancashire County Council.  Along with plastic bottles, which are already collected, residents will be able to put clean plastic pots, tubs and trays in their blue recycling bins at home.  The move has been warmly welcomed by Our West Lancashire councillors.

Cllr Gordon Johnson said “The wider range of plastics to be collected include yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, and meat, fruit and vegetable trays of any shape or colour, along with their lids. It is easy to see whether something is recyclable by checking the number stamped onto it. Anything with a number 1, 2 or 5 within the recycling triangle should go into your recycling bin.” 

“The colour and shape of the container doesn’t matter – the main thing is to check that it can be recycled, and give it a rinse. If the plastic still has food waste on it, or is covered in plastic film, it can cause a problem as it goes through the council’s recycling system and could end up not be recycled at all.”

Our West Lancashire Group Chairman, Adrian Owens said, “We’ve long taken a close interest in trying to boost recycling rates and some councils have collected this wider range of plastics for a number of years, so it’s pleasing that in Lancashire we can now do the same.  Some manufacturers still need to do more though.  One leading yoghurt manufacturer is still using polystyrene for their pots when polystyrene cannot be recycled economically.” 

Our West Lancashire have produced a guide on what can be recycled and what goes in which household bin.  This can be obtained at www.ourwestlancashire.com/information