Recycle on the go

Somerset West and Taunton Council is making it easier for people to help keep our parks and open spaces clean and green.

As part of its drive to tackle litter the Council will be introducing new replacement waste bins in public spaces which also have compartments for recycling in line with its environmental priorities.

Staff and volunteers have been litter picking at locations across the district, targeting problem areas such as residential streets, highway verges and open spaces. Much of the letter collected has included items which could have been recycled.

It hopes the new style bins with a litter and dog waste section in the middle and sections for plastic and cans at either end will encourage people to dispose of litter responsibly and allow them to recycle while out and about.

Cllr Andy Sully, Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: “At a time when the world needs action, it’s important that we as a local authority are doing everything we can to make it easier for our residents to reduce, reuse and recycle.

“These new replacement bins will create opportunities for us all to implement positive change that will keep our district clean and tidy and help protect our planet.”

The bins which have bird flaps all the way around and stubber plates for cigarettes on the top, will be installed in parks and other high uses areas first as a trial. They will be emptied by the Council’s open spaces team and street cleaning contractor.

The initiative is separate to the household waste collection services which are managed by the Somerset Waste Partnership on behalf of the four districts and the county council. Further information on your waste and recycling collection services can be found on their website at https://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/