Concerns raised about recyclable items in Chesterfield being sent to incineration

Peter Bird, of Somersall, contacted the Derbyshire Times to raise concerns about waste such as plastic and glass being burnt instead of recycled.

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Chesterfield Borough Council confirmed ‘some’ recyclable materials had been diverted for incineration in January ‘due to processing plant issues’.

Mr Bird told the Derbyshire Times: “I thought people may be interested in what the council is doing with the contents of the blue recycling bins as well as glass in what may be be a large area of west Chesterfield.

“I noted recently that our blue bin and glass was all emptied into a general waste compactor collection vehicle and not separately as normal.

“I raised this with our local councillor, who enquired with the council.

“His reply confirms that due to various problems with waste collection contractors, our recycling was going to incineration.

“This is totally unacceptable – it should be being recycled, not being burnt.

“So much for the council's much publicised recycling and waste reduction policies.”

Mr Bird added that residents would be unhappy to find out recyclable materials had been incinerated not just because of environmental reasons – but also because it takes time and effort for people to wash and separate such items from other waste.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, the council’s cabinet member for health and well-being, said: “Due to issues at the processing plant for recyclable materials, some of this was diverted to energy from waste plants in January.

“An alternative sorting plant has now been found and recyclable materials will be sent there.”

The Derbyshire Times asked the council how many households were affected and what amount of recyclable materials had been sent for incineration – but a spokesperson said they did not have this information.

Coun Mannion-Brunt added: “Ensuring that we maximise the amount of waste being recycled each year is key to our climate change action plan, which has at its heart the simple mantra of reduce, reuse and recycle.

“We are also are currently developing a new campaign that aims to further promote recycling across the borough.”

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