Where does your Recycling go?

Paper

All paper is sent to Aylesford newsprint in Kent.  Once the paper has been pulped and cleaned it is remade in to newsprint.  The recycled paper is then used to supply both UK and international markets.  Due to improved washable dyes, paper products such as Yellow Pages can now be accepted.  Find out more.

Glass

All glass collected either at kerbside or at our banks is sent to Viridor in Sheffied.  Glass is made into new glass products e.g. bottles, jars etc or used in road aggregate.  Find out more here.

Aluminium & Steel Cans

These are initially sent to Sims Metal Management in Cinderford.  The cans are sorted into the two different types with the steel cans being taken to Sims Metal based in Avonmouth.  These cans are then shredded ready for export or delivered to a local foundry.  The aluminium cans are baled ready to be transported to the end user for remelting.  Find out more about Sims Metal Management.

Plastic Bottles

Plastic bottles are baled and taken to JFC Delleve, a reprocessing facility based in St Helens.  This is the UK’s most sophisticated reprocessing plant for plastic bottles with an automatic sorting system based on infra-red technology that can separate the bottles by polymer type and colour.  The plastics are then recycled based on type.  The recycled plastic is made into drainage pipes but can also be used to make other items including compost bins, water butts, carrier bags, and fibres for clothing such as fleeces and carpets. Visit JFC's website. 

Cardboard

Cardboard can be recycled at five of the district's recycling sites.  The cardboard is currently reprocessed by JFC and sent to Gong GuanNine Dragons paper mill in Guangdong, China.  Collected cardboard is pulped before being made in to new cardboard packaging.

Batteries

Batteries are taken by G&P Batteries Ltd, Darlaston where they are sorted by their chemical content.  Batteries are melted down and the precious metals, such as zinc, are extracted and used in new products.  The steel casings are also used in new steel products such as cars or building metalwork.  Wherever possible the batteries are recycled in the UK.  Where they cannot be treated in the UK, they are sent for treatment and recycling in France, Germany or Belgium. 

Foil

Foil is collected locally by Taurus Crafts (part of the Camphill Village Trust) in Lydney.  The trust offers support for people with learning difficulties.  The foil is hand sorted for cleanliness and contamination before being compressed into bales.  The bales are then sold locally by Taurus Crafts.  View more information about Taurus Crafts.

Textiles

The district council provides a number of textile recycling banks throughout the district which can be used to recycle items such as clothing, blankets and shoes.  The banks are provided by BCR Global Textiles who also collect the materials.  The collected textiles are then taken to BCR's warehouse in West Bromwich where they are sorted in to difference grades.  The majority of items are sent abroad to countries including Hungary, Poland, Ghana and Togo.  A small percentage of textiles stay within the UK.  Any items that are not suitable to be reused as clothing are made into rags for the automotive industry.  Find out more about BCR Global Textiles.

Shoes

Dedicated shoe banks are provided by the Variety Club.  The colleceted shoes are shipped to Germany before being sent on to developing countries.  85% of the shoes collected are able to be refurbished and reused.  Shoes can also be recycled in the textiles banks provided by BCR (see Textiles).

Please only recycle pairs of shoes (please tie or bag the shoes together). 

Bras

New and good quality bras can be recycled using the bins located in each of our five leisure centres.  The bras are then collected by BCR Global Textiles who then export them to developing countries, many of which have a shortage of good quality underwear.  The payment the district council would normally have received from BCR for the bras is donated directly to Cancer Research UK’s ‘it’s a girl thing’ campaign.

Tetra pak

Tetra paks (waxed cartons) can be recyced at five sites across the district.  The material is then shipped to Sweden where it is pulped before being recycled in to items such as plaster board.

Garden Waste

Garden waste collected from the kerbside is taken to Rose Hill Farm, Dymock or transferred to Wingmoor Farm, near Cheltenham, where it is composted to make a nutrient rich soil improver.  Bags of soil improver are available to purchase from the Household Recycling Centre in Broadwell for a small fee.