All South Derbyshire recycling sites to shut
South Derbyshire District Council wants people to make use of their recycling bins at home
Last updated 13th Aug 2021
A Derbyshire council is closing all of its recycling centres in the same week a landmark climate change report is declared a “code red” warning for action.
South Derbyshire District Council, in a report to be signed off later this week, is closing all seven of its recycling centres in Castle Gresley, Hatton, Hilton, Midway, Melbourne, Ticknall and Wllington.
It says the move follows “constant” high levels of contamination and anti-social behaviour experienced at the sites, with complaints raised by neighbouring residents.
The council hopes closing the sites will encourage residents to use their own recycling bins and the household waste and recycling centre in Newhall, run by Derbyshire County Council.
After consultation, the council says just 1.67 per cent of the 401 residents who responded raised any objection to the removal of the recycling centres, with 13,000 residents said to have been contacted.
The council says:
“There are alternative facilities or service provision for the recycling of all materials collected through these centres, the anti-social behavior often associated with these sites can be a serious issue for residents in the immediate vicinity of the sites.
“The recycling centres are constantly misused leading to contamination of sites, illegal deposits of waste and the potential for hazardous waste to be inadvertently collected.”
This report falls in the same week the UN published a landmark report on climate change.
It calls for huge, prompt cuts to carbon emissions and greenhouse gases in order to prevent further disastrous outcomes of climate change, with human activity “unequivocally” at fault.
It has been long stressed that a crucial way in which individuals can help to cut emissions is to recycle their waste, including glass, plastic, cardboard and food.
The UN says recycling is a key way in which residents can “help the planet” and combat climate change, saying:
“Recycling saves energy and prevents extraction of raw materials, helping to combat climate change.
“It also helps reduce waste, and therefore pollution. Recycling reduces environmental impact as a whole, contributing to a ‘green’ mentality and more sustainable lifestyles overall.”
At a meeting on August 12, councillors will confirm the closure of all recycling centres provided either directly by the council or by contractors on behalf of the authority from October 1.
The recycling centres operated directly or on behalf of the council are:
- Bass’ Crescent, Castle Gresley
- Station Road, Hatton
- Main Street, Hilton
- Limetree Avenue, Midway (near the Hillcrest Fish Bar)
- High Street, Melbourne
- Ingleby Lane, Ticknall
- Twyford Road, Willington