Recycling Council is standing by its decision to bring back optional bags

COUNCIL leaders have defended the decision to reintroduce recycling bags for kerbside collections in South Gloucestershire.

- Adam POSTANS Local Democracy Reporter

One of the recycling crews in South Gloucestershire

(STEPHEN SUMNER)

But opposition Conservatives have branded it a “retrograde step” and said it made no sense that the bags would be manufactured and shipped from abroad if the aim was to reduce carbon emissions.

Reusable bags will be sent to residents for plastic, cans and foil, although they will still have the option of using the existing recycling boxes.

South Gloucestershire Council stopped supplying bags to households in 2019 and replaced them with recycling boxes.

However, many residents do not separate their recycling correctly or stack their boxes as requested, which makes collections longer and reduces the value of the recycling material.

The boxes also do not have lids and rubbish can blow away on a windy day.

Cabinet member for communities and local place Cllr Sean Rhodes, inset, said the new bags would have a seal at the top and be weighted to keep them in place.