cornwall waste collection proving unpopular time for skip hire

A new waste collection service in Cornwall has left a couple fuming over the expense and design of the recycling bags and boxes.

The new containers received by Marc and Marianne Postins are part of Cornwall Council’s new waste and recycling strategy that they say will make big savings and streamline the current system.

However, the Postins have said that what they’ve been given is far more than they actually need. Before the changes, they could store their recycling neatly in a corner, but now it takes up far more space in their kitchen.

“As a household we have been recycling for many years and have not had a single problem until now. But have you seen the new stuff they want you to put your waste in?” said Mrs Postins. The volume of all these containers is unbelievable. I really don’t want soggy, old nylon bags in my kitchen. I am more than willing to recycle, I am more than willing to wash the containers but I am not willing to dry the containers or wipe the floor every time I put something in the recycling.”

The council have issued each household with a black box for glass bottles and jars; a blue sack for newspapers, magazines, telephone directories, catalogues, junk mail and white envelopes; a red sack for plastic bottles, drink cans, food tins and aerosols and an orange sack for cardboard, brown paper, coloured paper, wrapping paper and greeting cards. This has been put in place for the residents to sort their recycling, rather than using external skip hire Cornwall services to dispose of the waste in one go and recycle the contents later.

“The new rubbish and recycling contract will save the Council £3 million a year over the course of the eight-year contract,” said a spokesperson for Cornwall Council. Unlike the previous plastic bags used for recycling in homes in the former North Cornwall district, the new recycling equipment has been designed to be waterproof and weather resistant to allow it to be left outside if there is no room indoors.”