Hopes app will see recycling rates rise

Newcastle City Council has revealed plans to stop the rising levels of household rubbish

A new bins app will launch alongside waste collection trials to drive up recycling rates across a city.

Food waste caddies will be tested in 5,000 homes in six areas of Newcastle before being rolled out to the entire city.

The amount of rubbish being produced in the city is rising, while the percentage of it being sent for recycling, reuse or composting has dropped from 42.7% in 2019-20 to 24.6% in 2023-24.

Newcastle City Council said the removal of Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) equipment at the Byker tip and the closure of a composting facility at Ellington had resulted in more waste being sent to landfill.

Labour councillor Marion Williams, the cabinet member responsible for Newcastle’s waste strategy, said the council must do more to "encourage residents to minimise their waste and recycle more effectively".

Councillor Marion Williams wants to encourage residents to minimise their waste

Households will soon be encouraged to download a mobile phone app allowing them to view their bin collection calendar and check if certain items are recyclable.

A trial which recycles plastic bags and wrapping is also set to be expanded from 5,000 to 35,000 homes, having collected more than 51,000 bags since June 2023.

The food caddies will be trialled in Kingston Park, Newbiggin Hall, West Fenham, Benwell, Scotswood and Wingrove.

Ms Williams said the impending introduction of food waste collections for all households would increase recycling levels by 6 to 7%.

The council's plans also include operating more pop-up recycling centres in new locations in the city and undertaking research to "better understand resident psychology" around recycling.