New plastic bottle kerbside collections in Newton Abbot

The council is introducing a new district-wide plastic bottle kerbside collection from Monday, October 4.

Under the new scheme all types of plastic bottles can be placed in green recycling boxes for kerbside collection as part of households’ normal recycling collection. 

Previously plastic bottle recycling had been limited to cloudy plastic bottles, but the council is now welcoming all plastic bottles including fizzy drinks bottles, squash bottles, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, and clear and coloured bottles.

Other types of plastic such as carrier bags, plastic wrapping and plastic containers cannot be accepted as part of kerbside recycling collections, but are welcome at recycling centres around the district.  Details on recycling centre locations are available online at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/recyclingcentres.

Cllr Gordon Hook said:

“We’re committed to making Teignbridge the cleanest, greenest place it can be, and are rightly proud of the way in which local people have embraced recycling to make us one of the best in the country.

“Until now the issue with collecting plastic bottles has been one of space on our vehicles, but by using local external funding we’ve fitted them with new mini-compacters.  These squash cans and bottles as they’re collected, enabling us to pick up more types of plastic without making extra runs to offload .

“We hope that residents will continue to help us improve our recycling figures by supporting this collection. Keeping waste out of landfill is not only better for the environment but also saves us lots of money on landfill tax.”

Under the new scheme, mixed plastic bottles will be collected from green household boxes, which can also be used for mixed glass bottles and jars, mobile phones, printer cartridges and batteries. The boxes are collected fortnightly from the kerbside, and the council's recycling team is urging residents to squash their bottles before placing them in boxes to help them make the most of its capacity. 

Those who don't have enough space for all their bottles can call Teignbridge’s free recycling helpline on 0800 731 0323 to see how the council can help.  This number can be used for any recycling based query.