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Recycling and waste volumes have been calculated by the local authority revealing that overall, households in North Somerset:
- Recycled more – over 214 tonnes of additional recycling was collected during the festive period, compared to the average amount during the rest of the year.
- Reduced their waste – there was a reduction in general (black bin) waste, with over 23 tonnes less being collected than in the same period in 2021.
- Wasted less food – there was a reduction in food waste, with over 25 tonnes less being collected than in the same period in 2021.
- Raised over £37,350 for local charities through real Christmas tree recycling schemes – over 2,354 trees were donated to St Peter’s Hospice in Long Ashton and the Weston-super-Mare Rotary Club for Weston Hospicecare.
Trees are still being collected by Noah’s Ark Zoo and Farm in Wraxall until Sunday 22 January. These are either turned into chippings for use around the grounds or used for animal habitat enrichment. A total number of trees collected will be published when available.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and community services, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to give some well-deserved thanks. Firstly, I’d like to thank residents for their efforts to reduce waste and recycle as much as possible over the festive period. Individual efforts have made a cumulative difference and supported our vision for a greener North Somerset.
“I’d also like to thank the council’s waste team and North Somerset Environment Company (NSEC), including our crews and those working in our recycling centres, for their hard work over the festive period. Thanks too to our contractors Glendale and Enovert for all that they’ve done. Glendale has been instrumental in the success of the Christmas tree recycling scheme and it would not have been possible to deliver it without them.
“For a third year running, we’re proud to have worked with different organisations to re-purpose and recycle Christmas trees. This encourages sustainable local solutions, while making a positive impact on climate change. Every year the project develops as it receives higher recognition. Thanks to increased publicity, including national TV coverage, we saw a noticeable increase of trees donated this year. People still have an opportunity to drop off their trees to Noah Ark Zoo Farm as that scheme is open until Sunday 22 January.”
More information can be found on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/christmas-recycling.
Follow North Somerset’s Recycling and Waste team on social media at Facebook (nsrecyclingandwaste) and Twitter (ns_recycling).