A NEW trial is being launched, aimed at reducing the amount of rigid plastic sent to landfill.
Re3, which runs recycling centres on behalf of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough councils, wants to cut back on the estimated 700 tonnes of waste produced each year.
The company says that for every 100 tonnes recycled, it can cut 250,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to the consumption of 180 cars.
Items that can be accepted include plastic buckets, crates, bins, storage boxes, garden furniture, pipes, toys or plastic plant pots.
However, items contaminated with paint will not be accepted, neither will polystyrene, fibreglass sheets, garden hoses, plastic film or car seats with textiles.
The new rigid plastic trial is expected to last up to six months and, if successful adopted on a permanent basis.
The plastic will be used in pipelines, the automotive industry, construction materials, furniture and household items.
In a joint statement, Cllr Dorothy Hayes (Bracknell Forest), Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward (Reading Borough) and Cllr Parry Batth (Wokingham), said: “We are delighted with this trial and invite all residents to take notice of the full list of new rigid plastic materials that can now be recycled when visiting either the Bracknell or Reading recycling sites.
“This initiative represents an ideal opportunity to recycle even more plastic items that are no longer needed at our homes and plays an important part in the sustainable production of new plastic items.
“It is our aim to work towards a zero-landfill rate and adding rigid plastic to our recyclable waste stream is another step to achieve that.”
