Cardboard recycling begins from the end of this month
The push to improve recycling in Ealing is gathering pace with cardboard added to weekly green box collections from the end of this month.
From 27 November residents will be able to recycle cardboard boxes and packages from gifts and new purchases making this year’s Christmas a greener one.
Following on from the council’s decision to scrap charges for garden waste sacks, the latest initiative is part of a £2.8 million package of new investment to improve environmental services in the borough.
Councillor Will Brooks, cabinet member for environment and transport, said “Ealing residents are already showing their enthusiasm for being more environmentally-friendly and our recycling rates are improving all the time.
“But there’s still a way to go before we hit our 30 percent recycling target. Introducing cardboard into the weekly green box collections means our recycling service better meets the needs of residents which in turn should help us achieve our recycling goals.
“What better time to start recycling cardboard than the festive season when most people will be exchanging gifts or treating themselves to something new. I hope that people will join the council in making this a green Christmas.”
Flattened boxes and household cardboard packaging, egg boxes and greeting cards will be accepted. Residents are asked to keep cardboard separate from paper using a carrier bag, to break up large items and remove any tape that may be stuck to the cardboard. Larger cardboard items may be collected by a different vehicle at a different time on the normal collection day.
The introduction of the new service is expected to cost approximately £450,000 a year although half of the costs should be recouped through avoiding landfill fines.
Recycling vehicles have been adapted in readiness for the introduction of cardboard recycling. To make recycling even easier, residents will also have their garden waste sacks collected every fortnight on the same day of the week as their green box and food waste bin.
To find their day and week of collection or to request a green box for recycling, residents can log on to www.ealing.gov.uk or call Ealing Council customer services on 020 8825 6000.
Ealing residents are currently being consulted on how they would like refuse and recycling to be stored and collected in the future. They have been presented with four options ranging from keeping the existing service to a fortnightly, wheelie bin collection. For more information, or to complete the survey online, visit the council website www.ealing.gov.uk and click on the link on the home page.
November 30, 2006