Tim Ball

I though that with all of the doom and gloom around that you might like to hear a good news story for a change.

Plastic bottle recycling in Bath and North East Somerset reduced the level of carbon emissions by an estimated 1,160 tonnes in 2007/08, according to figures released by the Council today.

The amount of plastic bottles recycled last year through both kerbside and recycling centre collection points reached an estimated 725 tonnes of plastic. According to recycling charity Recoup, for every tonne of plastics recycled there is an estimated reduction in 1.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

 "Addressing the causes and effects of climate change is one of Bath and North East Somerset Council's priorities within our vision for the district. Local residents are making excellent use of the Council's kerbside plastic bottles recycling collection service and the facilities available at Bath, Keynsham, and Midsomer Norton Recycling Centres, resulting in a significant estimated reduction in carbon emissions."

"The substantial increase in plastic bottle recycling last year illustrates that the Council is getting the message across about the importance of increasing recycling to improve the environment. There is now added an added incentive for residents to reduce waste, because this performance target forms part of an agreement with the Government which, if met, could result in additional sums of funding to further improve local services."

The plastic bottles collected are melted down and moulded back into plastic shapes in the UK.  Plastic bottles are made into items such as bollards, recycling boxes, compost bins, drainage pipes and even fleece jackets.

Recycling rates in Bath and North East Somerset were 43% in 2007/08. Local residents can learn more about the recycling, rubbish, and waste facilities available from the Council by logging-on to http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/ and clicking on ‘Environment and Planning'.