New bins make it easier to recycle

Jan 8 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THE first of 87,000 new recycling wheelie bins for North Tyneside households are being delivered this week.

Around 6,400 households are receiving their bins this week as part of a phased roll-out across the area.

Mayor John Harrison has personally delivered the first bin to Jacqueline Bruce, of Ashwood Grove, Wideopen. The new bins are replacing the black box recycling service.

Benefits include more space for recycling, a lidded container for better storage, the collection of cardboard and less lifting.

Mrs Bruce, who is chairman of Wideopen and North Gosforth Community Association, said: “I currently use three black boxes so this will mean more space outside our house.

“One of the problems with the boxes is they have no lids. It means I’ve always had to wrap up papers to stop them blowing away.

“However, not everyone in the area does this and you always know when it’s the collection day as there is paper all along the main road.”

The bins will be distributed between January and June. This week they are being delivered in the Seaton Burn, Wideopen, Dudley, Fordley and Annitsford areas.

The 240-litre grey bin comes with a separate caddy inside the top of the bin. The caddy is for glass bottles, jars and batteries while the main part of the bin is for cardboard, paper, food and drinks cans, plastic bottles and bagged textiles.

The bins are manufactured in the UK from 70% recycled plastic. They also feature notches on the lids to help people with visual impairments distinguish them from the other wheeled bins.

Collection will be once a fortnight on the same day as rubbish although not at the same time of day. Rubbish bins continue to be collected every week.

Tony Henderson