Dozens and dozens of different can banks, paper banks, plastic bottle banks, tetra pak banks and three different types of glass bottle banks are being consigned to history and replaced by just two banks - one for paper and the other for everything else!
The new banks are designed to make the process of recycling household waste much quicker and simpler by getting people to put all their paper waste in one bank and all their plastic bottles, cans, drink cartons and glass jars and bottles in the other.
All the items going into the new banks are taken to a special waste sorting site where they are mechanically separated using the latest technology and the different component materials then sent for recycling.
Last year, Gateshead Council collected more than 1,644 tonnes of recyclable material through it’s bring recycling sites, amounting to around 6% of all recycling in Gateshead.
Councillor Peter Mole, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, says: “Our aim is to make recycling as simple as possible, and we think having just two banks to place your recycling in will save householders a great deal of time and effort.
“Kerbside recycling has proved extremely popular but it is clear many local people still rely on our recycling centres. Hopefully, these new bins will help us to help them to recycle even more.”
The new banks are being gradually rolled out during November at Gateshead’s 34 recycling sites around the borough. Site locations and further information can be found on our website
www.gateshead.gov.uk/recycling