From the week beginning Monday 3rd March 2014, the “recycle for Dorset” collection scheme will come into being. You should, by now, have received a leaflet through the post explaining the scheme to you.

This service is already being used by 94,000 households in Christchurch, East Dorset and North Dorset. and the recycling rate in these areas has almost doubled, helping the councils save money and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Changes to the way you use your existing wheelie bin 

Dorset Waste Partnership is keen for you to reuse your existing containers where possible. Most houses in Purbeck currently use a 240-litre grey wheelie bin for their rubbish. When the new service starts in March, this will become your recycling bin and you will receive a new 140-litre bin for your rubbish.

This is because you will be able to recycle more, including food waste, heavy cardboard and plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays. You will receive a sticker to re-label your existing bin. This will be consistent with the service used elsewhere in Dorset.

A flexible service  – The containers for the “recycle for Dorset” service should be suitable for most households. However, the service is also designed to be flexible to meet different households’ needs. After reading your leaflet, you should contact DWP online or by phone no later than Friday 18th October if:

– you feel the standard containers will not meet your households’ needs

– you feel you would be physically unable to move your containers

– your grey Purbeck wheelie bin is missing or damaged

– you do not currently have a green recycling box

– or you would like to pay for a garden waste collection, starting in March.

Any requests received after 18th October will not be assessed until after the service has started and there may be a delay before any changes can be made.

DWP can be contacted online via www.dorsetforyou.com/recyclefordorset or by phone on 01305 221040 between 8.30am and 5.30pm weekdays.

As well as your existing wheelie bin, you will keep your green box to recycle glass bottles and jars. If your box is missing or damaged please contact DWP before 18th October.

A very small minority of properties in hard-to-access locations may receive a slightly different service because of difficulty reaching them to carry out collections using a single vehicle. DWP will aim to provide as full a service as possible to these properties while reducing costs associated with using multiple vehicles. These properties will be contacted before their service starts to explain any changes to the standard collection.

The new containers will be delivered between December and February. You do not need to be at home for your delivery.  An information pack will also be delivered, including service guide, battery bag, caddy liners and collection calendar, through your letterbox.

Local roadshows are being held throughout September where you can see the new bins and containers for yourself and speak to DWP about the new service. Some of the confirmed dates are:

Wed 4 September 10am-1pm Dorchester Corn Exchange

Thu 5 September 5.30pm-8.30pm Puddletown Village Hall

Fri 13 September 9.30am-1pm Wool, D’urberville Hall

Sat 14 September 10am-1pm Wareham Corn Exchange

Wed 18 September 10am-1pm Bere Regis, Turberville Road Car Park

An updated list of roadshows and locations of static displays of the new bins can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/recyclingevents.

For more information about the “recycle for Dorset” service go to www.dorsetforyou.com/recycleforDorset.