Council axes glass service

Cabinet members agreed this week that the monthly collections should stop at the end of March next year. Instead, there will be more community glass recycling sites.

Deputy leader Coun David Sheard (Lab, Heckmondwike) said: “While we’re reluctant to take this option, we are keen to offer a reasonable alternative for residents, and conclude that providing more community recycling facilities is a necessary yet reasonable compromise.”

The idea received a mixed response from Reporter readers commenting on Facebook.

Jessie Sykes said: “Good idea, but what about old people or disabled who cannot get out to recycle their glass?”

Sarah Seymour said: “I recycle my own because I’ve never had a glass bin.”

But most were sceptical about whether people would continue to recycle glass.

Graham Sheard said: “All the glass will end up in landfill, not road side collection points. People can’t be bothered to cart heavy glass miles up the road.”

Carol Madsen said: “Many people won’t bother going out of their way to recycle so Kirklees will be recycling less glass overall. It doesn’t make sense when local authorities have a legal obligation.”

At present, 84 per cent of people live within 1km of one of Kirklees’s 120 glass recycling facilities. The council estimates that 95 per cent will live with 1km of a facility by next March, and 60 per cent will live within 500m.

But Conservatives said doorstep collections could be continued if Kirklees looked seriously at its suggestion of working with the private sector.

Coun Nigel Patrick (Holme Valley South) said: “We do not accept that the proposed changes are the best way forward.

“We believe a new recycling plan is needed.

“Today we see our environment performance slipping and an administration with neither the ideas nor the drive to change that.”

Coun Sheard said: “Any decision to cease a service our residents have come to expect is regrettable, but difficult economic times, mean difficult choices.”