Douglas Borough Council has launched a trial recycling service for apartment buildings.

The six-month scheme, which will run in tandem with the Council’s kerbside collection service, is being trialled at seven apartment complexes: Ballanard Court, Hanover House, Hazel Court, Millennium Court, Queens Apartments, The Hollows and Waverley Court. Subject to the outcomes of the trial the service could be extended to other complexes.

Residents were alerted in writing in advance of the scheme and provided with an information sheet, a list of recycling FAQs and bags for holding recycling material.

During the trial the recycling bin collections - operated every two weeks as part of the kerbside collection service - will be recorded monthly between May 1 and October 31. Tonnages will be collated at the end of each month then published on the Council’s website.

In support of the scheme regular updates will be posted on the Council’s Facebook page and the recycling team will be staging promotional activities at Tynwald Fair Day on Wednesday July 5 and at Noble’s Park Fun Day on Sunday July 16.

To encourage wider take-up of the service the Council’s recycling team is inviting residents of participating complexes to volunteer to become recycling champions, for which training will be given, and encourage their neighbours to recycle more.  Recyclable materials are in demand and the Council can raise income by selling the recyclables it collects and processes.

Contents of the recycling bins will be taken to the Council’s waste transfer facility at Ballacottier where, once processed, the recyclable material is sold and sent to recycling companies to turn into new products.

Chair of the Environmental Services Committee Councillor Ritchie McNicholl said: ‘The Council is always looking at new ways to deliver a smarter, more efficient and inclusive service and, importantly, a system that makes it easier for people to recycle more.

‘We recognise that for occupiers of flats and apartments, recycling can present practical difficulties so, with this in mind, we have launched this six-month trial for residents of seven apartment blocks where we hope each community will get behind the campaign. In addition, the more material we’re able to recycle the more is removed from the waste stream.  This means fewer trips by the Council’s vehicles to the Energy from Waste Plant which reduces the gate fee incurred

‘Recycling isn’t just the “right” thing to do; it’s the environmentally responsible thing to do – not just for now but for future generations.’

For details of acceptable items for recycling bins visit recyclenow.im.

For more information call 696445 or email the recycling team.  

Large items for recycling may be taken to the Eastern Household Recycling Centre on the Middle River Industrial Estate. For details visit recyclenow.im