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October news

Council flats join recycling push

People in Portsmouth’s council flats can now join in fully with the city’s recycling effort.

Until this month, about 2,500 of Portsmouth City Council’s 8,000 flats and maisonettes did not have access to proper recycling bins.

But for the last few weeks, the council has been delivering modern communal bins to all blocks without them. And staff have been knocking on doors to give residents any recycling tips they need.

More than 150 bins – in three sizes – have been delivered. Residents have also each received a reusable bag to store recycling in their flat, plus a leaflet and a fridge magnet to remind them what can and can’t be recycled.

Cllr Jason Fazackarley, the council’s cabinet member for the environment and community safety, said: “Portsmouth is a city of enthusiastic recyclers, but until now, not all residents in council blocks had a chance to take part in our recycling scheme.

“Now they have modern bins and plenty of information to help them take part, and to recycle the right things, so what we collect isn’t mixed up with ordinary rubbish.”

What to put in your recycling bin or box

For the council to recycle things in an environmentally-friendly way there needs to be a market for them. The council is working to find markets for other materials, but at present householders should follow these guidelines for collections.

Yes please:

• newspapers, magazines, scrap paper, envelopes, and catalogues (but not shredded paper or Yellow Pages)
• card (such as cereal packets) and cardboard packaging (please flatten)
• food and drink cans
• plastic bottles (any type e.g. drinks or detergent)

No thanks:

• glass
• polystyrene
• margarine tubs
• yoghurt pots
• plastic food trays
• other plastics
• aerosol cans
• aluminium foil
• cling film
• Yellow Pages
• bulky metal items

Residents can recycle glass jars and bottles, paper, clothes, shoes and books at recycling banks across the city. And the Port Solent household waste recycling centre takes many more items and materials.

Check out our recycling information or call the City Helpdesk on 023 9283 4092.

Date : 08 October 2008

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