Co-mingled recycling up for judicial review

Recently the Campaign for Real Recycling won the right to a judicial review of the Government’s compliance with the EU Waste Framework Directive. The case seeks to get householders to separate their recyclates at home into separate bins rather then the co-mingled approach.

Veolia Environmental Services works in partnership with over 100 local authorities around the UK. We agree the most appropriate recycling solution based on local requirements, whether this is co-mingled or separation at source.

However Veolia believes this court case is mistaken on a number of counts. Firstly, from our experience in recycling some of the most outstanding recycling performances have been achieved by co-mingled collections.

It is a fact that it is easier for residents to use one container for all their recyclates and so results in higher yields. In addition advances in technology at the Materials Recycling Facilities (MRFs) ensures better separation of products and does not affect their end market value. 

Therefore we are concerned that direct sourcing by residents will lead to a significant drop in recycling performance and will be particularly difficult in high density and urban residential areas.

Looking at the option of kerbside sorting for the householder, we believe this can become inefficient for all involved. With more separation at source this can firstly increase the number of bins for the homeowner due to the different material options. Not only this but more vehicles will be needed to collect the separated recyclates causing an increase in vehicle emissions and having segregated areas in these vehicles it can lead to inefficiencies in the process.

In addition to this there are major health and safety implications with regards to our operatives and drivers who will be sorting at the kerbside due to the extra hazards that this might cause.

Veolia is pleased to say that it is working in co-operation with the Environmental Services Association to ensure proper representations is made to the Court during this case to ensure the right decision is made.

Robert Hunt
Executive Director Business Development, Projects and External Affairs

1. 25 Nov 2011

   by Mark Gray
   Andover
   I personally believe our local council restrict the 'comingled' waste too much. I caannot for example put any bottles in the recycling. I cannot put shredded paper in recycled waste bin. I cannot put any number of plastics, particularly food containers into the recycle bag.
   What about my leftover chicken grease - i have to put it in an oil drum, store it and take it to the council dump every 6 months.
   I'd rather put it in an empty milk container and leave it for special collections. How many simply put it directly into landfill bins - 90%? (more i suspect i am a very small minority).
   I'd be happier with a box for bottles and a net bag for mixed plastics. No reason why they cannot be hooked over my wheelie bin handle and left out for a collection vehicle designed with compartmentalised compaction units on back is there?
   
   How about increasing the local councils recycling options - not restricting them by insisting on dried mixed recyclable waste. I know it's a good money earner - but landfill is not sustainable and too much still goes to landfill.
   
   Lets follow some working examples from Europe. Plenty of communal bins for bottles - not bottle banks just for lucky car owners who can take their load to the 'local' site which is often away from humanity - becasue no-one want to look at the bins, or put up with the smell!
   
   It's a smelly issue - but we are still way behind the rest of Europe. No pat on the back form me I'm afraid - I grew up in Netherlands in the 70's and they recycled over 50% of all waste then!
   UK recycled less than 5% in the same years.
   
   Lets look for solutions, not objections - it will always be a bit more effort - but it's worth every ounce of calories used - recycle and keep fit - there's a slogan that could catch on - becasue we need something to give us a big kick up the backside.
   
   Thanks for reading my comments.

2. 25 Nov 2011

   by david riley
   Tewkesbury
   We have our domestic waste collected in Tewkesbury through the co-mingling approach and believe this to the right approach. Separation will not be as effective for the householder resulting in many more unsightly bins being required. The waste of money being spent on this Judicial review should be put to improving education in recycling!! Stay with the right answer co-mingling collection

3. 25 Nov 2011

   by John Griffiths
   Flintshire
   I fully agree with Veolia's stance on the benefits of co-mingled collections. Our council insists on us separating our waste. Personally I beleive its easier and more sensible to put all known recycleable items in one container and the rest in another. Regards food waste I use a waste disposal system so negating the need for an additional bin.

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