Copeland council is reducing the number of small recycling sites it operates after kerbside collection rates have soared.

The council has invested more than half-a-million-pounds in its kerbside recycling service over the past 18 months, which has resulted in collection rates more than doubling.

This now means that fewer recycling sites are now required and 15 small sites will be withdrawn by the end of November.

Ten large recycling sites will continue to operate, largely concentrated on areas that do not receive a kerbside collection.

Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “There are a number of reasons for this decision. We’ve invested heavily in our kerbside recycling system to provide a first-class service, collecting five items from residents’ doorsteps every two weeks. The response to this has been overwhelming and our recycling rates have improved considerably.

“For those who receive our kerbside collection, which is more than 96 per cent of households, we are encouraging you to use it. Between your three boxes and a bag, there’s now more space for your recycling than in your household waste bin.

“For the small percentage of households that don’t receive a kerbside collection, the 10 remaining recycling sites provide an outlet for their recyclables. We are also investigating the possibility of expanding the kerbside collection service to cover more properties.

“We have received a number of complaints that recycling sites are unsightly, they sometimes attract anti-social behaviour, and can be abused by businesses for their trade waste. From an operational point of view, they can be difficult to manage as use is unpredictable and material is often not put into the containers, and they can cause litter problems, particularly in windy weather.

“Coupled with the high cost of running the sites, in relation to the income they generate, it’s simply not viable for us to continue to offer a kerbside collection to more than 96 per cent of households, and still run the 25 recycling sites that we historically did.

“We appreciate that this may cause some inconvenience, and we’d encourage residents who may have particular difficulties to contact us so we can support them to continue recycling.”

Due to the reduction in use, it currently costs Copeland Council £40,000 per year to operate the soon-to-be-withdrawn sites, achieving only a £10,000 income.

Visit www.copeland.gov.uk to check if you’re on a kerbside collection.

Recycling sites to be retained are:

  • Co-op (Cleator Moor)
  • Main Street car park (Distington)
  • Beck Green car park (Egremont)
  • Haverigg foreshore
  • Tesco, Lancashire Road (Millom)
  • Seascale foreshore
  • St Bees foreshore
  • Morrisons, Flatt Walks (Whitehaven)
  • Tesco, Bransty Row (Whitehaven)
  • Gosforth car park (this is retained at present but its location is likely to alter)

Recycling sites to be withdrawn are:

  • Kings Head, Main Street (Bootle)
  • Calderbridge Village Hall
  • Main Street car park (Cleator)
  • Ennerdale Scout Camp
  • Eskdale Green car park
  • Frizington Road car park
  • East Road (Lowca)
  • Moor Row Working Mens Club
  • The Screes (Nether Wasdale)
  • Nether Wasdale campsite
  • Churchstile Caravan Park (Netherwasdale)
  • Parton play area
  • Main Street car park (Pica)
  • Brown Cow (Waberthwaite)
  • Wasdale Head campsite