THE EXPERIMENT
TO SEE IF THE COUNCIL CAN SAVE MONEY, TIME, FUEL, REDUCE ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT AND HELP REDUCE CLIMATE CHANGE
AIM
The Council empties recycling bins that are put out, on a fortnightly basis. I have carried out this experiment to see if the Council does not need to empty them as often as it does. And suggest if it reduces the frequency it will reduce its fuel consumption, save money and help reduce climate change.
EQUIPMENT
A 4 draw cabinet
A Council Recycling Bin
A set of kitchen scales
NOTES
Generally recycling bins hold 240 litres. 2 weeks recycling barely covered the bottom of my recycling bin. I estimate it could take 6 weeks to fill my recycling bin with household recycling. I wanted to show how long it takes to fill it and it will not be too heavy for the operatives.
THE PROCESS
Over a few weeks I collected my household aluminium, glass, tin and plastic recycling and sorted it into individual draws.
At times shown in the table below I weighed each material and recorded the results.
NOTE -I have noticed many people do not put cardboard in the bin, it is left beside it instead. I did not include cardboard.
From the data I have derived approximate weights for the periods, 14, 29, 41 up to 54 days and a year.
CONLUSION
The results show the recycling collected is not heavy. I observe my recycling bin could be emptied every 6 weeks.
If the Council emptied all recycling bins every 6 weeks it would reduce its fuel consumption, reduce its carbon footprint, help reduce climate change and save money. I hope with the savings it would be able to reduce council tax hikes.
I believe that if you and hundreds of other like minded people do the same experiment and gather the data it should be possible to demonstrate the time between emptying recycling bins can be extended.
EXCEPTIONS
Some customers generate more recycling. They will need an extra bin and possibly bags. In the interest of helping to save the planet I’m sure the Council will sort out any anomalies.
Weight (grams) of recycling collected. Start date 24.04.2022
| Recycling | DATE Start Date 24.02.2022 | 09.03.2022 | 24.03.2022 | 05.04.2022 | 18.04.2022 | Average grams per year (365 days) based on longest test period | Approx grams per 14 days |
| Number of days | 14 | 29 | 41 | 54 | |||
| Aluminium | 205 | 440 | 643 | 5724 | 220 | ||
| Glass | 447 | 904 | 904 | 1763 | 11916 | 457 | |
| Plastic | 332 | 990 | 1388 | 12356 | 474 | ||
| Tins | 396 | 850 | 1228 | 1530 | 10341 | 397 | |
| TOTAL | 40337 | 1548 |
I am a Guisborough Town Councillor. I’m so pleased that as a Town Council we are working to serve the community by supporting an educational event on prevention of scams and fraud and to support Ukraine about to fly the Ukrainian flag.
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