TUNBRIDGE WELLSÂ residents will get the chance to leave their unwanted glassware on the doorstep for recycling – although they may have to wait another two years.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s new contract for refuse collection is due to begin in March 2019.
The public has long called for glass to be included in the current arrangement along with other recyclable domestic rubbish and garden waste.
But at present unwanted glassware must be left at the 36 bottle banks in the borough or at North Farm Waste Recycling Centre.
In 2015-16, 2,075.29 tonnes of glass were recycled in this fashion, and the bill for this service is around £1.7million. Now the Town Hall has come under pressure from its own councillors to push for a kerbside glass provision in the agreement.
A report on recycling, which is available on the council’s website, was accepted by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday [February 13] in a meeting that was open to the public.
Cllr Ben Chapelard, a Lib Dem representative for St James’, has been campaigning for the new service and set up a petition last year which was signed by more than 1,000 residents.
Prior to Monday’s meeting, he said: “TW Borough Council is one of the very few councils in Kent which does not offer this service to residents.”
“Currently, glass either doesn’t get recycled at all or residents drive to bottle banks, creating more pollution and congestion. It is such a waste.”
He added: “Tunbridge Wells residents are clear – they want better recycling.
“The Conservative-run council keep ignoring the issue and making excuses.”
