A successful pilot recycling programme in Dockyard could become permanent.

Blue recycling bins were installed in May after the West End Development Corporation and the Department of Public Works agreed to split the costs of the initiative.

Wedco’s Business Development Manager Joanna Cranfield said: “We have thousands of people using Dockyard every day during peak periods and our motivation was simply to reduce the volume of general waste and, also, because it is the right thing to do.”

Ms Cranfield said they had tried to start a recycling programme in Dockyard for many years without success because of the cost of taking the recycled items to the depot.

She added: “We finally agreed that with the assistance of Public Works we could share some of the expense.

“The AC35 was also instrumental in making this happen as they had a strict recycle programme and we were able to piggy back off them as well as being able to use some of the recycle equipment that was already in place after the event.”

Wedco placed blue TAG bins, with all the internationally recognised recycling symbols, next to black general waste bins in the hope that people will separate their trash.

The trash contractor then collects the separated trash and delivers it to the relevant dumpsters in the Sallyport waste area.

The Department of Public Works provided the recycle dumpsters and compactor and removes the recycled trash as needed.

Ms Cranfield added: “The programme started in May and is due to run for six months. It has been very successful and we will talk to the department about how we can ensure it continues on a permanent basis.”

Don Baisdon, of ES Enterprise who is contracted to deal with all Wedco trash, said since the start of the pilot programme about ten tonnes of recycled materials have been collected from Dockyard.

He added: “This initiative is very important and I can see it growing and becoming the norm for everyone.”