Residents of flats welcome recycling changes

Residents of flats across England will be able to recycle the same items as those living in houses from 31 March.

In Somerset, the changes mean about 13,000 households are being sent leaflets and caddies so their food waste can be recycled for the first time.

Soft plastics and food cartons will also now be collected from flats, in addition to items that are already recycled.

Steve Bryant, who lives in a flat in Bridgwater, said: "I'm glad it's coming. It's good for the environment."

He added that the system will be much more hygienic than dropping food waste down a chute with general waste, which can become smelly in the summer and attract rats.

David Horsey, who also lives in a flat in Bridgwater, welcomed the changes.

"It's a good idea - the food just rots away.

"It needs to be taken away every week really."

Somerset Council already recycles paper, card, plastic, glass and aerosols collected at flats.

From 31 March, residents will be expected to empty their council-provided food waste caddies into a communal bin, which will be collected weekly.

There will also be new fortnightly collections for soft plastics and cartons.

New communal wheelie bins will be issued with different coloured lids to help residents to separate their waste properly.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, who is in charge of waste services at Somerset Council, said: "People in flats have been asking to be able to do more recycling for an awful long time, this will enable them to do this.

"Change is always difficult, but from my understanding, we've made this as easy as possible."

The changes are funded by the government's Simpler Recycling programme.

Recycling of soft plastics will not be made mandatory until 2027.

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