FAQ - Recycling

What will I be able to recycle at kerbside under the new service?
I don't have a green box, how can I order one?
What containers will I use under the proposed new service?
Why can't the Council take plastic packaging like food trays and yoghurt pots?
Why doesn't the Council recycle cardboard?
What is the Council doing about packaging from supermarkets?
What if I have more recycling than I can fit in my kerbside recycling box?
Do I need to separate out the things in my boxes?
Can I put broken glass in the recycling boxes?
How do I recycle items that I can't leave at the kerbside?
What happens to the things we recycle?

What will I be able to recycle at kerbside under the new service?
Under the new service, we will be collecting the following materials every week:

Paper (newspapers, magazines, office paper, Yellow Pages)
Food and drink cans
Glass bottles and jars
Aerosol cans
Clothing/Textiles
Foil
Household batteries
Plastic bottles (drinks, shampoo, bleach, milk etc)

Food waste – see separate section

I dont have a green box, how can I order one?

To order a green box please contact our Customer Service Team, csc@eastdevon.gov.uk. Additional recycling boxes can be purchased by calling the Council on 01395 571515.

What containers will I use under the proposed new service?

You should continue to use your kerbside recycling box(es) for the recycling of paper, tins & cans, aerosol cans, glass, textiles, foil, plastic bottles and household batteries.

Why can't the Council take plastic packaging like food trays and yoghurt pots?

We only collect materials that we are able to pass on to available reprocessors. Most plastic reprocessors only accept plastic that is bottle shaped as these are made from a high grade of plastic which is easy to recycle and sell on. The majority of plastic trays and other pots are a lower grade or blend of plastics which are not as good to recycle and have very low value. Once the final phase of the new recycling scheme has rolled out in November 2010 the Waste & Recycling Partnership Board are committed to consider what alternatives there are for providing recycling facilities for mixed plastic.

Why doesn't the Council recycle cardboard?

At present we are up to capacity on our collection vehicles so unable to collect cardboard. If you are able to, please take cardboard to your nearest recycling centre. The Waste & Recycling Partnership Board are committed  to consider alternatives for providing recycling facilities for cardboard following the completion of the new scheme roll out.

What is the Council doing about packaging from supermarkets?

The Council has asked all supermarkets within the East Devon District to take action to reduce the amount of packaging which they generate. The Government and other organistions are placing pressure on supermarkets and other multi-national organisations and so many of them have now signed up to the Courtauld Agreement to reduce packaging significantly in the future. There is also a requirement that supermarkets recycle their own waste and there are significant penalties if they do not acheive the targets set.

What if I have more recycling than I can fit in my kerbside recycling box?

The recycling boxes are only available in one size because they would then become too heavy to lift. You can purchase up to two additional recycling boxes per household, please contact Customer Services on 01395 571515. Alternatively, if you only have excess recycling occasionally you can place it in a plastic bag and leave on top of your recycling box. Please do not use black bin liners as it may be mistaken for refuse.

Do I need to separate out the materials in my boxes?

All the different materials are sorted at the kerbside manually into separate compartments.  However, it would help the collection crews if you could separate the materials, and rinse bottles/cans etc.

Can I put broken glass in the recycling boxes?

Please don't. The contents of the boxes are sorted at the kerbside manually by the crew – they risk injury if there is broken glass in the boxes.

How do I recycle items that I can't leave at the kerbside?

There are nearly 30 recycling banks for textiles, foil, shoes, books, tins, cans, glass and paper located around the district. Tetra Pak-type cartons, plastic packaging and cardboard can be recycled at your local recycling centres.

What happens to the things we recycle?

All the separated materials are sent off for reprocessing. Bottles and jars are made into new bottles and jars, steel cans go back into steel production and can be used for anything made out of steel, aluminium cans are made into new aluminium cans, and newspapers and magazines are pulped and made into newsprint.

Page last updated on 7 July 2011