New Recycling Bins an Immediate Hit with Town Centre Shoppers

New recycling bins in Bedford Town Centre introduced by Liberal Democrat Mayor Dave Hodgson have seen just over ½ tonne of plastic bottles and drink cans collected in less than two months. The new recycling bins, which have been called for by Liberal Democrats on the Council for many years, were introduced following Dave Hodgson's election as Mayor. They are already helping to save local taxpayers money by reducing landfill costs and are enabling residents to recycle 'on-the-go' in the town centre for the first time.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "Having pressed for years for recycling litter bins to be introduced in the town centre, it is really pleasing that local residents and visitors to the town centre have responded so positively. The evidence shows that as soon as they have been given the chance, people have taken the opportunity to recycle their litter on the move. I have always stressed that the best way for the Council to boost recycling rates is to work with residents and make it easier for people to take part. The early results from the recycling litter bins mirror the success we have had so far in our campaign to improve recycling facilities at blocks of flats, where a trial showed rocketing recycling rates.

"All plastic bottles and cans collected in the new town centre bins are taken to the Council's recycling facility at Elstow. From there they can end up being turned into park benches, fleece jackets or even airplanes.

"This is an example of our commitment to achieve our target of recycling 60 per cent of waste by 2020, as we strive to make Bedford a cleaner and greener place to live and work while reducing landfill costs for local taxpayers."

The town centre litter bins were introduced as part of the Council's radical programme of action on the environment since the election of Liberal Democrat Mayor Dave Hodgson, with other features including the £550,000 Climate Change Fund and the Council's bold commitment to the national 10:10 carbon reduction campaign.

The first six recycling litter bins in the Town Centre are located at Harpur Square and along Midland Road, between Clinton Cards and Costa Coffee, with more bins set to be introduced later in the year.