By Leah Conway –
Kirklees Council has launched a new and improved recycling service to replace the existing service. The old service has been running since 2003. The improvements come as part of a new Waste Strategy for Kirklees.
The Trade Waste Team have redesigned, modernised, and expanded the recycling collections. Currently, the old service was only available in schools and businesses situated near schools. Over the next 12-15 months, the system will be available to all businesses within the borough. Over 130K of funding from the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) made the changes possible.
The improved service will also enable schools to recycle more of their waste. The council aims for the improvements to support its environmental and climate change goals.
Each school that signs up for the new recycling service will receive two 60 litre clear perspex internal containers, allowing the materials inside to be visible. By making the containers clear, it is hoped that it will decrease the recycling of the wrong items.
Schools will also receive a free composter. The council will also provide optional educational assemblies and workshops through their Recycling Advisers.
Kirklees Council is also running a competition with schools to design artwork. The art will feature on the side of the new recycling wagon.
All year groups at all schools signed up for the recycling service can enter the competition and could win the school one year of free collections.
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Closer to a carbon-neutral Kirklees
Councillor Will Simpson, Cabinet Member for Culture and Greener Kirklees, said:
“This new commercial recycling service is just one more way that our resources and waste strategy is continuing to improve our waste services and bring us closer to our vision of a carbon-neutral Kirklees.
“There are now over 100 schools and 80 businesses signed up for the service ready to start in September and this number will grow as it becomes available to more businesses across the borough.
“From listening to feedback from the Our Voice Climate Festival in March 2021, we know that our children are passionate about recycling and preventing climate change. We hope that they will embrace this opportunity to make a difference in their schools and take the learning home with them, in turn improving recycling across the district.”
Schools can still sign, to learn more about Kirklees Council’s trade waste services, you can visit their website.