| Fermanagh leads the way with Plastic Recycling. In 2005, Fermanagh District Council reported the highest plastic bottle recycling rate per household in the UK. They were the first council to introduce 2 bin alternate weekly collections of recyclables and residual waste in Northern Ireland, providing a cost effective service which encourages residents to use their recycling bins.
Details County Fermanagh is situated in the centre of Ireland, bordered by County Tyrone to the north and the Republic of Ireland to the south and west. The area is very rural, and covers an eighth of the total area of Northern Ireland. Household Waste. The council offers a two bin recycling system to all 22,000 households in the county. Plastic bottles are collected with other dry recyclable in a blue 240 litre bin on alternate weeks to residual waste. The decision to move to alternate weekly collections was a driver for co-mingled collections including plastic, encouraging residents to recycle as much as possible, given the reduced collection frequency of residual waste. The collection regime is cost effective and despite the rural nature of the county, the rates for collection of domestic and non-domestic waste are the lowest in the province. The scheme was introduced after a successful trial was carried out by families of 40 council employees in 2001. During the trial, waste audits were completed on the recycling bins. These determined the level of recovery and how well the communication literature was understood by householders. Using this information, clearer documents were produced regarding the plastic types required. This helped the scheme to roll out across the county with clear and simple messaging. To help with the scheme implementation costs, waste management grant funding was applied for and received from the Environment and Heritage Service. Recycling of the Waste. Collected dry recyclables from the scheme are transported to a council transfer station. Glasdon Recycling based in Toomebridge, Co. Antrim collect the loose material and transfer it to the Material Reclamation Facility where it is automatically sorted. A ten year contract is in place with the company. The company has been very supportive of the council’s efforts. Glasdon Recycling service other councils in Northern Ireland and have commented on the high percentage of plastic bottles in kerbside material received from Fermanagh. In 2005, a total of 576 tonnes of plastic bottles were collected for recycling, equivalent to 26 kg/hh/yr. Waste Awareness. The scheme has been very well received by residents, but work is ongoing to raise awareness of the recycling in general and increase even further the participation. Householders are kept up to date of progress achieved through their efforts via leaflets and recycling guides. In these guides householders are also advised how they can improve their efforts and avoid contamination. The technical services team informed householders that for example “In 2005, 604 tonnes of blue bin waste was lost due to contamination, costing rate payers almost £20,000,“ By attributing this cost directly to householders, in a measure that can be understood, contamination can be reduced.” Although Fermanagh District Council has limited resources for a highly structured education campaign, the council is a member of the Southern Waste Management Partnership (SWaMP), in association with this organisation a waste management plan to tackle waste and reduce landfill dependence has been prepared. Non Domestic Waste. The council is also at the forefront in assisting commercial waste producers recycle- a glass collection service is available to all hotels and pubs; cardboard is collected free from all trade premises; all the trade waste is collected and charged for by weight and schools are also offered a “Blue Bin”for collection of plastic bottles and card which are recycled as part of the recyclables waste stream. Farm and agricultural plastics are also accepted at recycling centres across the county. Further information www.fermanagh.gov.uk |