Freesheet Recycling Effort Falling Short Of Target

The recycling agreement struck between the London Lite, thelondonpaper and Westminster council is falling short of targets set by the local authority.

In January, Westminster Council said that it expected the recycling scheme to ensure the emptying and recycling of nearly 400 tonnes of free newspapers a year (see Freesheets Get Recycling Bins).

According to a report on MediaGuardian.co.uk, council figures have revealed that in the six months since the recycling scheme launched, bins placed at key points in central London have collected 120 tonnes of paper, the equivalent of 1,920 trees.

During the six-month period the council collected 465 tonnes of waste paper from its 153 on-street recycling bins.

A Westminster council spokeswoman told MediaGuardian.co.uk: “The 400 [tonnes target] was always a maximum figure based on all bins being out at all times.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved so far but still we want to do more.”

The publishers of the two titles, News International and Associated Newspapers, installed 70 new recycling bins in central London in January after Westminster Council had threatened to cut distribution points by 30%, with distributors also threatened with having to sweep up within a 100 metre radius at the end of each shift (see Council Could Implement Tough New Freesheet Rules).

The two companies each installed 35 bins in the West End and Victoria at a cost of £500 each.

Associated Newspapers: www.associatednewspapers.com News International: 020 7782 3922 www.newscorp.co.uk