Our strategy for managing waste

Our aims for your waste

The government has set all councils strict targets to recycle more rubbish. The aim of the waste philosophy is to meet and then exceed these targets for recycling and reducing rubbish production. The philosophy will follow and support the Government's National Waste Strategy. You can find out more about the strategy within the Recycling and Waste area of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website.

How will this work?

The council is using something called the 'Waste Hierarchy' to guide its planning of waste activities. We want to push as much waste towards the top of the hierarchy as possible.

The waste hierarchy

Reduction
Re-use
Recovery (Recycling, Composting, Energy)
Disposal

How you can help

Please do what you can to protect our planet and improve Coventry's environment.

Reduce the amount of waste you produce by shopping smart and avoiding packaging where possible.
Re-use any items that still have a useful life even if that means putting it to another use or giving it away to a charity shop.
Recycle as much of your waste as possible at one of the city's many recycling centres - don't forget to compost too.

Consider alternative uses for items that you might automatically throw in your bin:

cereal packets are made of cardboard and can be recycled
toys can be donated to charity shops and benefit other families instead of being incinerated
second-hand mattresses, furniture and electrical appliances like fridges and washing machines are much needed by charity groups.

Remember: Reduce .... Re-use ... Recycle

What will we do?

Aim to keep as much waste as possible at the top ends of the hierarchy and minimise the amounts for disposal.
Ensure that any neighbourhood recycling scheme that has a direct impact on residents is made as easy as possible to use and excludes no-one.
New kerbside recycling schemes will be introduced in partnership with residents to take full account of their opinions.
Lead by example - reviewing our own waste and applying the objectives described above.
Work with partners to ensure that all aspects of our waste activities are provided in the most appropriate way.
Be good managers of any hazardous waste and ensure we dispose of it to the latest legislative and safety requirements.

Where does your waste go?

Household refuse is used to generate electricity by incineration at Coventry and Solihull Waste Disposal Company (external website).
Cardboard and paper collected at the Public Waste Recycling and Disposal Facility (PWRDF) is recycled by Kappa (external website).
Green garden waste collected by the council and that deposited at the PWRDF is composted and used as an organic soil improver by a local farmer.
Wood collected at the PWRDF is chipped by A and A Recycling and sent to be made into new chipboard.
All metal products including fridges and other household electrical items taken to the PWRDF are inspected, if they can be reused are taken by charitable organisations for distribution. The remaining items are recycled by European Metal Recycling (external website)

Useful links

HDRA is the national charity for organic growing - visit the HDRA website to find out more about organic gardening

Contact details

If you have a comment, compliment or complaint about our services, please contact Coventry Direct:

Telephone: 0500 834 333 - open 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturday.

Minicom: 0500 431143

E-mail: coventrydirect@coventry.gov.uk or via our online form

Visit: Coventry Direct Express bus

Write to:
Council House Reception
Council House
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR