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What to recycle?

Submitted by: Bob Knowles

Describe your idea. How does it work and who does it help?

A page such as this one provided by Reading  says what can be recycled and where, but does not supply that information in a very user-friendly form.

This new site would take two inputs from the user - postcode and type of material to be recycled.  Example:

  • Input1: HA7 2PP
  • Input2: Clothes

The system would then list available centres for that combination. The user could choose one of these, and then specify a means of transport. The system would then calculate the carbon cost of that journey and - on the basis of default values - the quantity of that material that would offset the carbon to be spent on the proposed trip, and provide maps  and/or timetables.

What information or services do you need?

  • Maps
  • Details about recycling services
  • Carbon footprint
  • Public transport info.

Comments

My local council does not recycle any plastic that isn't in the form of a bottle - no pots, trays, tetrapak, etc. There would have to be some good guidance to use this website to input exactly what material you want to recycle... or you could just list the nearest places for every material, line by line.
Also, how about information on the recycling chain from each drop-off point? What happens to the yoghurt pot you put in the plastic bottle bank? where does the glass go to get recycled?

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