Telford's rubbish going to create 'green' energy

Instead it will be used to generate green energy which will go to the National Grid.

Waste that Telford residents put in their red-top bins is now used as fuel for creating electricity for the national grid.

Waste is taken out of the borough to Veolia’s Energy Recovery Facility sites in Shrewsbury or Four Ashes, where it is treated in controlled conditions to create green energy.

It is part of a series of measures through the council's contract with Veolia to make the borough more environmentally friendly, as well as trying to increase recycling rates.

It has been welcomed by the leader of the council who says it will help make Telford "greener".

Councillor Shaun Davies, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, “The diversion from landfill means that Telford and Wrekin is now more environmentally friendly than ever.

"It’s much better to recycle, but unfortunately not all items can be recycled, so it’s great that those non-recyclable items that go in the red top bins are still being put to good use.

“The practice of sending waste to landfill is not sustainable in terms of space or the environment, so we are very pleased to have stopped sending everything to landfill.”

Veolia says it still wants people to recycle as much of their rubbish as possible.

Steve Mitchell, director for Veolia said: “It’s important to remember that energy recovery is the last resort, so we encourage people to recycle as much as possible in their kerbside recycling containers and at the household recycling centres.

“Recycling in the borough has increased since Veolia obtained the recycling collections contract in 2014.

"We continue to work with Telford & Wrekin Council to engage with schools and communities in order to continue that trend.”

For further information on recycling in Telford and Wrekin visit telford.gov.uk/recycling