Photo of glass bottles and jars

Glass recycling trial set to get underway in Northumberland

As part of its drive to combat climate change and improve recycling rates in Northumberland, the county council is proposing to undertake a pilot scheme where residents can recycle glass bottles and jars from their homes.   
 
The council’s decision-making Cabinet will be considering a report on the scheme at its meeting on 13 October and, if approved, glass collections from homes in the trial areas will begin in November.  
 
A total of 4,000 homes across four areas of the county will each receive an additional small wheeled bin for their glass bottles and jars, which will be emptied every four weeks.  
 
During the twelve-month trial residents taking part will be asked for their feedback on the scheme, and other detailed performance information will also be closely monitored including participation levels, weight of glass collected per household, quality of glass collected and cost of collection.  
 
Cllr Glen Sanderson, leader of council and cabinet member responsible for waste management and recycling said: “I am extremely pleased to be bringing this trial glass recycling scheme forward.   
 
“Many people have expressed a desire to recycle glass from their home, and our team has worked hard to design a scheme which we hope will benefit our residents, while helping to combat climate change and improve recycling rates.  
 
“We are proposing to try this out in four areas of Northumberland, which have been selected for their urban and rural spread, range of house types and also proximity to a waste collection depot.”  
 
The report to Cabinet outlines plans for the trial, which will be reviewed after nine months to inform officers and members of the costs and benefits so a decision can then be taken about the scheme’s future and the potential to introduce a wider glass collection scheme to households across the county.  
 
It is part of the council’s ongoing monitoring and review of its waste management services, with a number of improvements being considered for the future, including the option to add separate collections like this for glass and food waste, and to expand the materials residents can place in their recycling bin with the overall aim of achieving a recycling rate of above 50% and helping to combat climate change.  
 
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