A petition reveals that thousands of tonnes of recycling are incinerated instead of being processed, raising concerns in Brighton.
Brighton: Thousands of tonnes of recycling are being incinerated. A campaigner, Robert Jones-Mantle, shared this in a petition to the city council.
He presented the petition at a council meeting in Hove Town Hall. Jones-Mantle co-founded the community recycling company, Magpie Green Box.
He urged the council to focus on waste collection without politics or profit. His petition, titled “Clean Air Clean Streets,” highlighted that 700 out of 3,000 tonnes of recycling was incinerated in early 2023.
By the last quarter, a third of the waste was being burned. Magpie had a strong recycling record, reaching 80% at its peak over 30 years.
Magpie collected more types of recyclables than the council, but the service ended last month. Jones-Mantle emphasized the need for a unified local approach to tackle recycling issues.
He mentioned that some residents are creating their own solutions but lack support. Labour cabinet member Tim Rowkins expressed disappointment over the Green Box service closure.
Rowkins stated that recycling should be free and promised to meet Jones-Mantle to discuss community recycling projects. He announced new changes to the council’s recycling service.
These changes include adding more items for kerbside collection. Rowkins also mentioned a new £1.2 million food waste collection service.
He criticized the Green Party for claiming that recycling contracts couldn’t be changed. Green councillor Pete West asked about a subscription service for dedicated recyclers.
Rowkins confirmed that the council won’t start a paid service, ensuring comprehensive recycling for all residents.
