Leeds bins: Council to introduce kerbside glass recycling collections in city this year in major change

Residents of Leeds will soon be able to use their green bins to recycle glass bottles and jars, free of charge.

At the Budget Council meeting in Civic Hall this afternoon (Wednesday) the leader of Leeds City Council confirmed work is underway on plans to introduce kerbside glass recycling collections for the first time in the city.

It is estimated that Leeds residents currently put 11,400 tonnes of glass in their black bins each year, which if recycled would have huge environmental benefits, including a carbon saving of around 2,600 tonnes of carbon per year.

More detail will be announced shortly, with the intention to have the collections up and running this summer.  Importantly, there will be no additional cost for the collections.

Leeds residents will soon be able to put their glass recycling in their green bins. Photo: National Worldplaceholder image
Leeds residents will soon be able to put their glass recycling in their green bins. Photo: National World | National World

The council leader James Lewis said: “We know there is big demand from residents for more convenient glass recycling, so I’m delighted to confirm people will be able to put glass in their green bin when this service is up and running later this year.”

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Space (Labour) said: “This is great news because it will have big environmental benefits. By enabling residents to put glass bottles and jars in green bins the glass will get recycled leading to significant carbon savings.  We will announce further detail about this in due course, with our aim to start the service this summer.”

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