Island Recycling Service Strong in Current Economic Climate

The Isle of Wight is in a robust position against fluctuations in the recyclable waste markets.

As the market value of recyclable materials falls, and some councils are reducing their recycling services, the Isle of Wight Council remains in a strong position thanks to its integrated waste management system.

Working in partnership with Island Waste Services and Isle of Wight residents, the council operates a variety of recycling and waste recovery systems for domestic waste, some of which do not rely on the sale of materials to waste companies on the mainland.
Much of the Island’s household waste is processed at the new gasification facility near Newport to produce electricity which is used on the Island. Not only does this provide a guaranteed market for the waste, meaning the council is not vulnerable to market fluctuations in its value, but it also reduces transport costs and the environmental impact of transporting recyclable waste to plants on the mainland.

The new gasification facility processes combustible elements of household waste such as plastic, cardboard, packaging and paper not collected by the kerbside recycling scheme, diverting waste away from landfill. Materials collected via the black kerbside box service and the Household Waste Recycling Centres at the Civic Amenity Sites on the Island are sent to the mainland for processing. Although glass cannot be recycled on the Island and will continue to be processed on the mainland, if the market prices of newspapers and magazines fall too low, the council has the option to process them at the gasification plant to produce energy for the Island.

The strength of the Island’s recycling service lies in the way in which domestic waste recycling and recovery systems work together and provide the best practical environmental option for the processing of the Island’s waste. Each method has a part to play in maximising the diversion of waste from landfill.

Cllr Tim Hunter-Henderson, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for the environment and transport said: "Our integrated approach to waste management on the Island is the key to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. The new gasification facility means we are not completely reliant on mainland waste processors for diverting material away from landfill and can produce electricity for Island homes at the same time.

"It is essential that Island residents continue their excellent efforts to recycle using the black box kerbside service and Household Waste Recycling Centres at the Civic Amenity Sites. Although not all recyclable waste can be processed on the Island it is important that we divert as much waste away from landfill as possible."