Beyond the kerb – recycling to resources

Somerset Waste PartnershipBeyond the kerb – recycling to resources

Do you wonder what happens to your recycling after it has been collected?

Somerset Waste Partnership was the first authority in the UK to produce a annual full report, Beyond the kerb – recycling to resources, showing what happens to your recycling after you’ve left it by the kerbside or taken it to the recycling centre.

In 2017/18 Somerset residents reused and recycled 133,553 tonnes of waste. 91% was recycled in the UK, with only 9% sent overseas for recycling. By reusing and recycling their waste, Somerset residents avoided paying £15 million in landfill costs.

To view or download the latest version:

SWP-Recycling-End-Use-Register-2017-2018

To download or view previous versions:

SWP-Recycling-End-Use Register-2016-2017

SWP-Recycling-End-Use Register-2015-2016

SWP-Recycling-End-Use Register-2014-2015

SWP-Recycling-End-Use Register-2013-2014

SWP-Recycling-End-Use Register-2012-2013

At a glance - how materials are recycled:

Paper Sent to paper mills in the UK and overseas to be recycled into newsprint and other paper and board products.
Cardboard Sent to board mills in the UK and overseas to be recycled into new cardboard.
Mixed container glass Sent to reprocessing facilities in the UK to be turned into mineral wool and new glass bottles and jars.
Cans and foil Sent to reprocessing facilities in the UK to be sorted into steel and aluminium.  Steel cans are made into new steel products and aluminium cans are recycled into more cans and other aluminium products.
Food waste Sent to an anaerobic digestion facility near Bridgwater to produce a biofertiliser used on agricultural land and biogas used to generate electricity.
Garden waste Composted in Somerset by Viridor and local farmers.  Used on site or sold as Revive Compost at recycling centres.
Textiles Sent for reuse in the developing world or shredded into cotton felt/wadding/mops and industrial wiping cloths.
Shoes Sent to developing nations to be refurbished and reused.
Plastic bottles Sent to reprocessors in the UK and overseas to be recycled into various plastic items such as films, pipes, compost bins and fleece jackets.
Beverage cartons Sent to reprocessor in the UK to be separated into paper for cardboard products, plastic to generate energy, and aluminium to be used for aluminium products.
Fridges and Freezers Broken down into separate components for reuse in manufacturing, and CFCs extracted for safe disposal.
Electrical Broken down into separate components, baled and recycled.
Bric a Brac Sent to various local outlets via collection agents at each recycling site.
Household batteries Separated into different fractions (i.e. metal and plastic) for reuse in manufacturing.
Automotive batteries Separated into different fractions (i.e. metal and plastic) for reuse in manufacturing.
Cooking oil Turned into biofuel to generate electricity and heat.
Engine oil Oils are recovered and blended for use as an alternative fuel.
Paint (water-based) Recycled into new paint products.
Scrap metal Sent to various reprocessors who break it down into separate components, bale and recycle it.
Wood (Clean and Low grade timber) Some of the wood is chipped and made into a range of proucts including animal bedding, equestrian surfaces.  Some is incinerated to produce energy and heat.
Plasterboard Separated into gypsum which is reprocessed into new plasterboard, and paper which is recycled into a variety of new paper materials.