Kerbside recycling back on Guernsey States agenda

Guernsey's Mont Cuet landfill, has been estimated to last until 2021

Kerbside recycling could be back on the States of Guernsey's agenda just two years after members rejected the idea.

The collection method features in all four scenarios being considered as part of the waste strategy by the Public Services Department.

All four proposals include setting a new recycling rate target of 70%, up from the current 50% target.

The department is currently finalising its recommendations, which are due to be put to the States in mid-October.

In 2009 the States twice rejected the idea of kerbside recycling - on the grounds of cost and practicality.

The four short-listed options have come from a series of workshops which involved more than 80 local groups and organisations.

All include proposals for maximising recycling including food waste composting, developing existing measures and introducing some form of enforcement and incentives.

The difference in the scenarios is what happens to the waste that can not be recycled or reused.

One suggests a small energy-from-waste plant be built, the second a material recovery facility for commercial waste with the residual waste sent off-island.

The others propose using mechanical biological treatment for household and commercial waste producing either refuse derived fuel, which can then be exported, or 'biostabilite' that is then suitable to be disposed of in landfill.

All four options involve disposing of any hazardous waste via landfill.