Erewash Borough Council has renewed its annual appeal to residents to dispose of recyclable waste sensibly this Christmas holiday.
The council is calling on everyone to take personal responsibility this festive season waste and avoid scenes from previous years when recyclable waste has been dumped and left for someone else to sort.
The West Park recycling site in Long Eaton often sees a large number of visits on Boxing Day to dispose of gift boxes and other festive recyclable waste – but turns into a hotspot for fly tipped waste.
The problem is caused by some irresponsible residents who dump their Christmas waste on the ground, not even breaking down cardboard to fit into recycling bins - causing an environmentally damaging eyesore. Once this happens, other people cannot then get to the recycling bins to properly dispose of their waste.
Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “We are appealing to residents to take the time to break down boxes and other large recyclable items, which will then fit into the blue recycling containers.
“We appreciate that residents have more recyclable waste after Christmas Day, but please be responsible and let’s avoid turning the area into an eyesore. Turning up at the site and then dumping a car-load of waste on the floor is fly-tipping. It is not acceptable, and we know the vast majority of responsible people who live in our borough share that opinion.”
In previous years, several tonnes of good quality recyclable material as well as household waste has been fly tipped at the West Park and the Asda recycling areas in Long Eaton – despite many of the bins being empty. Paper, card, plastics, tins and glass bottles can all be placed in the blue bins but no waste or recycling should be dumped on the floor.
Many residents also show their support for recycling by breaking down their waste and keeping it ready to put out for their usual recycling collections at home.
More information about waste and recycling can be found at www.erewash.gov.uk