Concern At Lack Of Plastics Recycling At Market Harborough Tip

Plastics taken to Market Harborough tip can’t be recycled at the moment.

Leicestershire County Council say it’s to ‘maximise the number of people’ using the recycling and household waste site on Riverside, which continues to operate on an appointment only basis, after re-opening in May following an enforced closure because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Market Harborough Recycling & Household Waste site

Things like plastic bottles, tubs and trays are being accepted at some sites, including Kibworth, although so-called ‘hard plastics’, like garden furniture, can’t be recycled at any of tip sites across the county.

Phil Knowles, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group at Harborough Council, says it’s a concern:

Councillor Trevor Pendleton, cabinet member for waste disposal at the County Council, said: “Unfortunately, there is not a sustainable outlet available where we can guarantee hard plastics, such as garden furniture, would be managed in an environmentally responsible way and recycled properly.

“Plastic bottles, tubs and trays can be recycled through kerbside collections collected by district councils or taken to seven of our recycling and waste sites.

“Residents who visit sites currently not accepting plastics can place them in the general waste container. Alternatively, we encourage residents to consider if suitable hard plastics can be donated to local reuse organisations or charities.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation and hope to continue separately collecting this material at all of our sites in the near future if outlets become available.”