Somerset 'committed to recycling' despite paper bank losses

11:50am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

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SOMERSET remains committed to recycling – despite the scrapping of ten paper and cardboard recycling banks in the Taunton and Wellington area.

Perrys Recycling is removing the banks and a further 21 across the county after deciding, along with Somerset Waste Partnership, that they were underused.

A Perrys spokesman said: “SWP has increased kerbside household recycling services, which resulted in a tonnage drop in certain paper banks.

“Therefore, in conjunction with the economic downturn, we have had to review 31 poor performing paper banks.

“Over 100 paper banks are remaining with no plans for removal, giving the general public the choice and convenience of how they want to recycle with kerbside and bring sites.”

Perrys has also renegotiated the price it pays to empty the banks due to a sharp drop in commodity prices worldwide.

Meanwhile, Steve Read, managing director at SWP, said at 51% Somerset has the highest recycling rate in the country – and wants to get even better.

He said: “Somerset is in the best possible shape to carry on recycling.

“Recycling in the UK saves the equivalent in carbon dioxide emissions of taking five million cars off the road.

“We recycle more every year and want that to continue.”

Among the sites where banks are being removed are The Stonegallows and Tauntfield Close, Taunton; The Maypole Inn, Thurloxton; Stoke St Gregory; The Lethbridge Arms, Bishops Lydeard; Lydeard St Lawrence; West Bagborough; Creedwell Orchard, Milverton; The Lamb & Flag, Blagdon Hill; and Churchinford Village Hall.