There have been reports in the media of some local authorities stockpiling materials for recycling as the credit crunch affects some recycling markets. Bath & North East Somerset Council are pleased to confirm that through working with our partner May Gurney, we have secure markets for all the materials that we collect and that everything is and will continue to be recycled.
To give you an indication of what happens to the materials that we collect, we have summarised what happens to each of the materials that you can put in your green recycling box.
Paper
This is taken to Aylesford newsprint, based in Kent where it is made into paper for the newspaper industry. They are one of the largest paper reprocessors in Europe and supply a number of the national newspapers.
Cans and Aerosols
These are taken to the recycling depot where magnets separate them into steel and aluminium. They are then squashed, baled and sent to South Wales where they can be made into many different things from cans, parts of cars or parts of fridges.
Glass Bottles and Jars
These are sent to Essex and Yorkshire where a company called IO recycle them into more glass bottles and jars. They can be recycled over and over again without losing their quality.
Plastic Bottles
These are taken to the North West for recycling. The plastic bottles must all be sorted into their different types before they can be recycled. Plastic bottles are relatively easy to separate which is why we can collect them. Once recycled they can be made into many different products including drainage pipes and guttering through to the insulation in coats, duvets and car bonnets. They are now also being recycled into new bottles for milk and other drinks.
Foil
Foil must be recycled separately from aluminium cans due to its different density. It is recycled into products such as door and window frames but can also be made into parts of cars or even aeroplanes.
Batteries
Batteries are taken to G&P Batteries, based in the Midlands, where the different metals are separated and sent for recycling.
Clothes and Shoes
These are sorted into different grades before being bulked up and sent to West Africa where they are re-used as second hand clothing. Care is taken to make sure that they are only sent to countries where this does not affect the local economy.
Car Batteries
The plastic from car batteries is recycled into items such as guttering and drainage pipes, the lead can be used to make X-Ray shields in hospitals and the acid and distilled water are refined and re-used.
Engine Oil
This is refined and used in power stations.
Spectacles
These are collected by Vision Aid and sent to people in poorer countries.
Mobile Phones
These are sent to charitable agencies in the UK such as Action Aid who send them on to people in poorer countries.
Ink and toner cartridges
These are refilled and used again.
To find out more abut our recycling services and the things that we take, please go to Recycling.