What happens to my recycling?

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• Why don’t we recycle it all in this country?

  A large proportion of recycling, such as newspapers and magazines, steel and aluminium cans and plastics, are sent to reprocessors here in the UK. Similarly, all of the organic materials collected in Hertfordshire, such as garden waste and food waste, are also processed at recycling plants in the UK, including at a number of facilities in Hertfordshire.

  Although best efforts are made to find a UK market, sometimes the demand for a material just does not exist in the UK. In addition, current UK markets do not have sufficient capacity to be able to absorb all of the dry recyclables the nation collects.

  This means it is necessary to allow our private sector partners, subject to regulatory compliance, the freedom to trade dry recyclables on the international market in order to achieve the best income streams and/or lowest costs for tax payers.

  More detail about the end destinations for all of Hertfordshire’s recycling, garden waste, food waste and residual waste can be found in the latest Hertfordshire Waste Partnership annual report.

• Is sending our recycling abroad still the more environmentally friendly choice?

  Recycling is the most environmentally friendly way of getting rid of your recyclables as it avoids the need to use primary products to make new materials and avoids emissions from disposal. Typically, transporting recycling only accounts for a small percentage of the overall life cycle emissions.

  Unfortunately, there isn’t the capacity in the UK to reprocess all of our recyclables without sending some of it abroad. There is demand for these materials on the international market and sending material abroad for recycling ensures this demand is met.

• What regulations are in place and how do we know our recycling isn’t being dumped abroad?

  Rigorous processes and procedures are in place for the handling and loading of materials for export, if a suitable facility is not available in the UK. All exports must be in compliance with the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations set out by the Government. This process is audited by HMRC and the Environment Agency.

  Pearce Group ensures that all materials are sent to a licensed facility abroad. It also ensures any facility is permitted to accept and appropriately manage the particular material in question. It deals with only reputable brokers that have been approved by government bodies.

  In instances where large volumes of recycling is involved, the broker visits the facility and carries out a full audit. The findings, including the plant processes from start to finish, are presented back to Pearce Group.

• How much does it cost to recycle? Is it cheaper to just dispose of everything?

  Disposal of non-recyclable waste is more expensive than recycling our waste. Fluctuating markets determine whether we receive an income for our recyclables or pay to recycle them. When an income is received it helps to offset a proportion of the cost of running the collection services.

• Where does my general waste go once you collect it?

  Non-recyclable waste collected in Hertfordshire is delivered either directly to landfill sites or taken to a waste transfer station near Watford. From there, residual waste is largely directed to a number of energy from waste (EFW) facilities in neighbouring counties and London. The use of such facilities allows both energy to be recovered from residual waste, which contributes towards the UK’s power needs and minimises the use of landfill.

• I’m not sure whether I can recycle something, who can I ask for help?

  Recycling collected at the kerbside is generally household packaging materials, including plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, tins and cans and foil. If you’re unsure if something can be recycled, leave it out of your recycling.

  Alternatively, find out more about what you can put in each bin or email recycle@dacorum.gov.uk.

• Why do other boroughs and districts recycle differently to me?

  Local district and borough councils can determine their own recycling collection schemes and what they collect. Considerations for collection schemes may include the make-up and layout of properties and the extent of the collection area. The recyclables collected will usually be determined by contracts in place for reprocessing.

  It should be noted, however, that through the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP), there are a number of shared contracts currently in place for the reprocessing of recyclables.

• What else can I do to help the environment besides recycling?

  There are many ways that you can help the environment. WasteAware has run a number of campaigns to provide ideas on:

  • Remembering your reusables
  • Trying to be plastic free
  • Fighting fast fashion
  • Reducing food waste
  • Home composting
  • Eliminating fly tipping

  For more information, visit the WasteAware website.