People in Exeter thanked for recycling a “mountain” of materials
Published: 10 January 2024
Staff and residents have been thanked for playing their part in processing a “mountain” of recycling over the Christmas holidays in Exeter.
Waste and recycling crews from Exeter City Council are catching up on collections and the extra materials that the festivities bring. Since Christmas, crews have reported 14% more being presented at the kerbside for recycling (this includes food waste) and trade waste collections.
That includes mounds of extra cardboard packaging and plastic toy packets, piles of additional drink cans and plastic bottles, plenty of balled-up used tin foil and a shed-load of soft plastic bags.
Speaking from the Materials Reclamation Facility (MRF) in Exton Road, where all the recyclable materials are dropped off and sorted, Cllr Ruth Williams, Lead Councillor for Place and City Management, thanked everyone in the city for their contributions.
“We’re seeing a mountain of recycling coming into the MRF. It’s very encouraging to see and I’d like to thank the people of Exeter for taking the time and making the effort to separate their recycling from their household waste. It really does make a difference!
“Because of the holidays and the extra materials we have to collect, it always takes time to catch up, so I’d also like to thank people for their patience and bear with us as we get back to normal. Normal collection dates are set to resume from next week, Monday 15 January.”
Cllr Williams also thanked the crews for being out in some extreme weather. “Last week they were being battered by storm Henk and this week they’ve had to endure sub-zero temperatures, bringing snow, frost and ice to the early morning collections.
“And it’s not just the waste and recycling collectors who have been working hard to catch up, our staff at the MRF have been working since 27 December to get to grips with the city’s recycling materials so that they can be sent off for processing.
“Recycling materials bring in much-needed revenue to help provide valuable services across the city,” added Cllr Williams, “I can’t thank the staff enough for their huge efforts over this busy period.”