People in South Lakeland have been reassured that their recycling continues to be sorted and processed correctly.
Westmorland and Furness Council has issued a statement after new waste lorries have been introduced on some rounds.
It looks as though the workers are loading all waste into the new lorries without separating them – but the new lorries are actually supported by modern technology known as co-mingling.
The new vehicles – which feature built-in lifting gear to empty wheelie bins more quickly and safely – are being phased in to replace the authority’s older fleet.
However, it said during this transition phase, it is not possible to predict exactly which rounds will have which vehicles on a regular basis.
Co-mingling makes it possible to collect more recyclable materials together in the same container. Recycling collected under this system remains separate from general waste, the council said.
Inside the bin wagons, there are separate compartments, so when two containers are emptied into the same vehicle, the materials aren’t completely mixed.
Paper and card can still be kept apart from plastics, glass, and cans to reduce contamination and ensure effective recycling.
Materials collected can now be taken to a specialist Materials Recovery Facility, where state-of-the-art machinery efficiently identifies, sorts and grades mixed recyclables ready for reprocessing.
Co-mingled recycling also allows the council to use the same types of bin wagons for recycling, general waste and green waste collections, it added.
The council initiated a successful trial in Ulverston last year to research and gather evidence on the effectiveness and efficiency of co-mingled collections and the modern collection vehicles.
Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member for climate, biodiversity and environmental services, said: “We recognise that to some the introduction of co-mingled collections may give the impression that everything is simply being thrown in together and may raise questions about the value of sorting waste at home. I want to assure residents that this is not the case.
“Everything collected at the kerbside is sorted and sent for recycling, and anything contaminated with non-recyclable waste is sent for processing by Mechanical Biological Treatment, ensuring nothing we collect goes to landfill.
“This ensures that valuable natural resources are recovered and reused, protecting the environment and cutting waste.
“Evidence shows that making recycling simpler and more convenient encourages people to recycle more and waste less, which is one of the main aims of the new harmonised system. By modernising the service and investing in newer, more efficient vehicles, we’re making it easier for residents to recycle, reducing missed collections and increasing overall recycling performance across Westmorland and Furness.”
While the council transitions to newer collection vehicles and phases out older ones, people are asked to continue as usual separating their recyclable materials by type.
