Pop-up recycling centres prove popular with Newcastle residents

Designed to make recycling more accessible for residents, 80 people visited the first pop-up facility on Hawthorn Place, Cruddas Park, on January 18.

The following week, 62 residents disposed of their unwanted goods at a second site located in the car park at Dean House, Eastfield Avenue, Walker.

In total, more than three tonnes of recyclable materials were collected over the two days.

Cllr Jane Byrne, Newcastle City Council Cabinet member for a Connected City, said: “We want Newcastle to be a clean, green and sustainable city and reducing waste and recycling more is an important part of that.

“We are always looking at ways to make it easier for residents to recycle as we know not everyone has access to a vehicle and therefore are unable to use our household waste and recycling centres.

“This pilot scheme put free recycling facilities in the hearts of our communities, with the aim of helping to increase recycling rates and reduce on-street fly-tipping. 

“I am delighted the centres were so well received by residents and we are exploring options to have more projects like this in the future.”

Jen Vinton, Group Director of Housing at Your Homes Newcastle, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people make use of these pop-up recycling centres, helping play their part in reducing waste and any potential fly-tipping in Newcastle.

“Our staff at the centres were delighted with the positive feedback received during this trial and look forward to working with colleagues at Newcastle City Council on exploring future options.”

Ahead of launching the pop-up centres, leaflets were delivered to 465 properties in the areas and officers from the Council and YHN carried out visits to residents.

The sites were open from 10am to 2pm and people were able to attend without making an appointment.

Both centres had skips for wood and timber, sofas and soft furnishings and hard plastics, and electrical goods such as televisions and vacuum cleaners could also be recycled. 

Discussions are under way at the Council to roll out the pop-up recycling centres in other areas of the city.

For more information and advice on recycling, visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/environment-and-waste/rubbish-and-recycling.