New rubbish system sees rise in recycling rates

Cornwall Council said said it had recycled 2,750 tonnes of food waste since January

Cornwall's recycling rate has risen since the introduction of a new rubbish and recycling system, a council has said.

Cornwall Council also said it had recycled 2,750 tonnes of food waste since January.

The changes - which include the introduction of a weekly food waste collection and a reduced frequency of rubbish collection to fortnightly - are being introduced across the county in stages.

However, some people who live in flats said they were not happy with the new system.

According to the council's figures, the recycling rate rose from 40% to 52% in mid-Cornwall, after the area became the first to move to the new system in January.

It said recycling rates rose from 36% to 58% in south-east Cornwall after the changes were rolled out there in April.

The scheme is designed to cut down on the amount of non-recyclable rubbish.

Brenda Edwards lives in a flat in St Columb

But some people who live in flats said they struggled with carrying the food waste down to larger bins.

Brenda Edwards, who lives in a flat in St Columb, said she still puts her food waste in her black bag waste.

"It's a lot, lot harder for us because we weren't given bags and we have to carry it down to the nearest place for them to pick up and then it gets forgotten or mixed up," she said.

Mandy Francis said she to get her rubbish to the communal bin areas

Mandy Francis, who also lives in St Columb, said she had mobility issues and struggled to carry the food waste down to the bins.

"The very first time they came to do the recycling they missed us," she said.

"Our eldest resident on the estate is 91-years-old, and for her to be expected drag her rubbish or recycling down to the bottom, that's no easy thing."

The council said flats are given a silver indoor food caddy and residents can empty it in the larger green bin in their bin store.

The collection service was rolled out to west Cornwall - the third of five areas - on 1 July.

'Lower our carbon footprint'

Carol Maclellan, the council's service director for regulatory services, said the new rubbish service was good for the environment.

"Our new food waste, recycling and rubbish service will help residents in west Cornwall increase their recycling and cut down on waste as well as recycle their food waste for the first time," she said.

"All this helps to lower our carbon footprint, lessen our impact on the planet and contribute to a sustainable Cornwall."

Residents in the fourth area of north-east Cornwall will start receiving their new bins next month ahead of their collection change in the autumn, the council said.

It said everyone else would remain on the current rubbish and recycling service until they receive information about when the changes start in their area.