Recycling is a sticky process

2:30pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

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Green recycling boxes will no longer be collected if they contain plastic bags or nappies.

Haringey Council is cracking down on the increasing number of people putting non-recyclable waste in green boxes.

A new sticker scheme is being introduced across 37 roads in the borough to ensure residents do not recycle the wrong materials.

Recycling boxes containing inappropriate items will not be collected and will be branded with a sticker explaining why.

Putting non-recyclable items, such as plastic bags, cellophane wrapping, nappies and clothes, in green boxes causes contamination and slows up the recycling process.

Cabinet member for environment and conservation, Councillor Brian Haley, Labour, said: "More than a quarter of household waste in this borough is now recycled, which is a huge achievement considering our recycling rate was just two per cent in 2001.

"But we need to ensure residents don't waste time and energy by trying to recycle the wrong materials. This slows down our collections and affects the quality of our recycling."

The council hopes the sticker trial will help residents better understand what can and cannot be recycled and will roll it out in other streets if it proves successful.

At the moment, green boxes with a small amount of non-recyclable, or contaminated, waste are collected and it is removed during the separation process at the depot. Larger amounts of contaminated rubbish cannot be removed.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Richard Wilson believes the council's recycling system is too limited. He said: "Haringey's co-mingled system means the recyclable rubbish, such as glass and paper, gets contaminated with other materials and can't be recycled properly.

"The council could also do more to increase the range of waste that can be recycled.

"It's outrageous that in 2008 so little plastic packaging can be recycled in Haringey."

More details about recycling and a list of non-recyclable items can be found at haringey.gov.uk/recycling