Give us the chance to recycle more, say Sheffield people

People in the city centre yesterday said they would happily put more items into their blue bins if they could - although some said they were confused about which materials were recyclable.

And most people said the council should consider providing green bins for garden waste.

Cynth Marshall, aged 65, from Manor Top, said: “I think more could be done on what plastics we can recycle, because at the moment you are a bit restricted.

“I think recycling is easy enough, but more green bins for garden waste are needed.”

Jan Cornish, 57, from Hunters Bar, also called for more clarity on what could be recycled.

She said: “We are not sure what plastics we can or can’t recycle, so you have to put it all in one bin.

“I’m a bit dissatisfied with the recycling. You hear of people in other authorities where their recycling is better organised.”

Dave Rusdale, 68, also from Hunters Bar, agreed. He said: “I think people should be more educated about recycling, but I’m unsure how they could get that across.

“It would be helpful if they collected garden waste.”

One of the council’s suggestions is to replace the blue boxes for extra recycling with another blue bin.

Joanne Grayson, 41, of Woodhouse, offered the same idea, but said the bins could also be improved.

She said: “I think it is a good thing to recycle.

“The annoying thing is the blue boxes are not very effective, as they seem to disintegrate after some use. The council will send you a replacement, but I don’t think that’s very cost-effective for them.

“Also, the blue bins are too tall and thin. They really need a new design as they can fall over.

“I think it would be a good idea to use green bins for garden waste.

“They have it in Rotherham, so why don’t we have it?”

Meanwhile Pam Gould, 86, from Fulwood, praised the council’s city centre waste collection.

“I recycle and I think it is very important,” she said.

“People are able to use useful bins around the city centre.

“The job the council are doing is OK as far as I’m concerned.”

However, she said more needed to be done to teach people about the importance of recycling.

She added: “I don’t think there is enough education about recycling, especially with the older generation.”

But John Platts, 65, from Fir Vale, said there was too much confusion around the issue.

“I don’t think they should stick any more bins and boxes around Sheffield – there are too many,” he said.

“I think people are starting to adjust to recycling but everyone is confused about plastics.”