Peterborough recycling centre ‘has helped reduce fly-tipping by 25%’ in first year

The centre, which replaced the old site in Dogsthorpe, which was less than half the size, is now a year old.

And the council has credited it with helping to reduce fly-tipping substantially in Peterborough.

The authority has also claimed that recycling rates at the centre have increased by eight per cent, although across the city the figure has dipped to 43 per cent.

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The new facility has seen 800 more tonnes of rubbish being reused, recycled or composted compared to the one in Dogsthorpe.

Cllr Marco Cereste, Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for waste and street scene, said: “Our aim was to push our recycling rate above 70 per cent, and the investment we made in this facility has boosted the recycling to 73 per cent (at the centre), putting us nearer to our zero waste aspirations. Not only that, there have been over 1,000 less instances of fly-tipping in the city.

“The household recycling centre is customer friendly, easy to use, open all year round and is free. I would encourage residents with re-usable items, recycling, garden waste or rubbish to continue to make good use of it.”

Steve Longdon, regional director for FCC Environment, which operates the facility on behalf of the council, added: “We are delighted with how this purpose designed site has been welcomed by the community and the results in terms of recycling and fly-tipping speak for themselves.

“But we are always looking to improve further so we would urge residents to share their views. And in the meantime, we look forward to continuing to welcome residents and help them to recycle even more.”

The council is also seeking feedback on the centre to try and make it a better experience for residents. Feedback forms are available at the centre, Peterborough Town Hall in Bridge Street or can be completed online at www.peterborough.gov.uk/hrc.

The centre is for Peterborough residents to dispose of their household waste that is unable to go in their kerbside collection. This includes electrical goods, paint, garden waste, batteries, TVs, textiles and clothes. A full list of acceptable recycling is available at www.peterborough.gov.uk/hrc.

Use of the recycling centre is free for residents using a car, however, anyone using a van or trailer to dispose of waste will need to apply for a free permit online.

The facility is open 8am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday, in the autumn/winter (October to March), and 8am to 6pm in spring/summer (April to September)./