Lockdowns helped push trend towards kerbside recycling

BRING BANK use dropped during lockdown and has stayed low, as more islanders got into the habit of kerbside recycling, Guernsey Waste operations manager Sarah Robinson said.

An illustration showing how kerbside glass collection has overtaken bring bank use over the years.

Recycling rates remained stable during 2020, compared with 2019, with 72% of household waste being recycled.

Lockdowns helped to continue a trend towards kerbside recycling. For example, in 2016 half of paper and card went to bring banks, while the rest went in clear recycling bags.

But last year 80% of paper and card recycling was being picked up at the kerbside.

Glass kerbside recycling started in 2018 and now makes up about 80% of all household glass recycling.

‘During lockdown, the bring bank sites were closed,’ Miss Robinson.

‘This encouraged a lot of people to use kerbside.’

Nearly all homes have used kerbside now in some way.

The amount of glass being recycled through the kerbside also increased by 100% during lockdown and stayed 40% higher than usual even after the island reopened, implying that people were continuing the use the kersbide service after lockdown.

Bring bank sites at L’Eree and Vazon were shut during lockdown and not reopened.

Miss Robinson said the three remaining bring bank sites – Rohais, Salerie and Longfrie – were still used by some.

‘People are still making use of these for things like glass and bulky pieces of cardboard,’ she said.

But the sites also face problems with fly-tipping, including a recent issue with bags of clothes being dumped outside the charity clothing banks.

‘They do seem to attract some abuse and they are hard to manage,’ Miss Robinson said.

‘Bring banks had their place at the time [before kerbside], but now with kerbside, it’s more

efficient and convenient for people.’

She noted that the sites were quite old and their use was being reviewed.

Guernsey had aimed to hit a 70% recycling rate by 2030, but had actually hit that target in 2019, meaning Guernsey has one of the highest recycling rates in the world.

Miss Robinson said there was actually little left in black bags that could be viably recycled.

‘It is better now to reduce waste overall,’ she said.

n A survey is currently under way to try to understand people’s waste habits. To take part, visit gov.gg/wastesurvey or call 221234.