Will you be using reverse vending machines?

I agree with Wavechange’s comments. We have a regular fortnightly collection of recyclable waste which the City council collects reliably and the County council processes. The system is not as transparent as I would like in terms of the ultimate destination of plastic waste [Is it exported? I have never seen a definitive statement]. Given the provision of this convenient and efficient service I cannot see that we would use a facility at the nearby supermarket.

Did the Intro really mean “recycling plastic bottles and cans”? Or does it mean metal cans? It would be far better to have separate receptacles for each type of material.

Every home in our area has a large recycling bin and there is no excuse for not using it or for not making sure that the contents are clean. Most people appear to use the bins correctly and sensibly, but more education is required to encourage the minority of householders who do not do so to cooperate. I strongly support Wavechange’s remarks on the standardisation of recycling arrangements and on package markings.

Thanks, George.

It’ll be interesting to know how they are going to know that the drinks cans have all been bought at a Sainsbury’s shop. It’s a good move though if it cuts waste, encourages recycling, and reduces litter.

Such bottled water as we buy comes in glass bottles which then go in the recycling bin. Manufacturing and transporting glass bottles might not be so good environmentally but re-use of the glass is better than single use of plastic and glass will not generally end up in the oceans.

What worries me are the risks from broken glass. It used to be a regular problem on beaches. CLEAR Pet is apparently easily recycled although I believe recycling coloured versions is more problematic.

The risk of injury from broken glass is one reason why plastic bottles have become so common. When PET is recycled, the quality of the product deteriorates, so the best solution is to use reusable bottles or to reuse single-use ones.

There are many glass bottles in use – beer, cider, wine, fizzy drinks for example – so I do not see the slight broken glass risk as a reason to abolish plastic. My bet is the weight of glass and the need to clean it before reusing were the reasons for the move to plastic. Change for the better does bring with it what some might see as penalties. Nothing is perfect but one thing is for sure, plastic use and waste must be tackled without excuses.

There is no doubt that plastic is safer and it’s why pubs etc. often switch to plastic ‘glasses’ for events. I would be more than happy if all single-use plastic drinks bottles were phased out. That would not affect me but I do have plenty of plastic bottles of cleaning materials under the kitchen sink.

While plastic might in principle be safer in one respect, its damage to the planet is more important. I suspect its simpler to write off plastic glasses than glass ones, and therein lies the problem. We need to think of how we can avoid using plastics or, at least, use them for reusable containers. The recycling bit does not solve the problem

Deposits are very likely to be introduced by the Scottish Government soon, they have proved much faster than UK Gov in introducing bag charges, deposit schemes etc. https://news.gov.scot/news/deposit-return-scheme

Why bring a grammar lesson into a discussion about recycling? We all understood what was being said. Chill out man!

Peter, check this out:
https://refill.org.uk/

They have apps to help you find all the places you can refill for free.

Unfortunately, individuals cannot join this scheme, but perhaps we should not be to embarrassed to ask householders if they will fill our water bottles.

We have such a history of social disobedience, nuisance and vandalism that all attempts in the past to provide free unsupervised water fountains or taps in public places in the UK have failed and the facilities have been disconnected or withdrawn. In my view all places of refreshment and petrol stations should be obliged to provide up to one litre of tap water per request and be entitled to make a charge for it if necessary.

I agree that it should be a duty for such places to provide tap water but maybe a donation box for small change might be better than a charge – if we are serious about encouraging people to move away from single-use water bottles.

I appreciate the problems in the past but wonder if public water taps and fountains might be treated with more respect if installed now.

Steve – I don’t think people should be offered financial incentives to recycle if their local authority provides a receptacle for recyclable waste and empties it free of charge at least once a fortnight. What could be easier? Everyone should just do it. The money councils raise from recycling waste materials helps pay for the disposal of non-recyclable waste.