Startling facts and figures about the amount of rubbish thrown away in West Sussex are revealed in Waste Side Story, a County Council-made mini movie that can be viewed on its website.
FACT: In one year, West Sussex threw away more than 400,000 tons of rubbish.
FACT: That’s enough to fill Chichester Cathedral four times over, cover the runway at Gatwick four times and fill around 55 double-decker buses.
FACT: 375,000 tons of that rubbish went to landfill, which is bad for the environment and costly.
FACT: By 2020, the County Council will be allowed to landfill only 130,000 tons of household rubbish a year - go above that and the county will face heavy fines.
As Phil Russell, Head of Waste Management, tells viewers: “The penalties are severe - £150 a ton for every ton over that figure.”
Waste Side Story emphasises that one way to avoid burying rubbish in large holes is to recycle it.
“You’d be amazed what can be used again. Glass can be turned into road laying material – 14 million bottles make up the M6.
“We’re getting better at recycling in West Sussex. In four years the recycling rate has rocketed - from 22 per cent to 36 per cent, which is above the national average,” says the video.
It goes on to look at the County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Sites, which are being rebuilt or refurbished, and the new multi-million pound plant at Ford, which is all set to revolutionise the way recycled rubbish is handled in West Sussex.
“It’s the first of its type in the West Sussex, and certainly one of the most advanced in the country – even boasting an education room and a public viewing platform!” says reporter Simon Eden.
Waste Side Story acknowledges not everything thrown away can be recycled.
“But it can be turned into a resource, such as compost, gas or electricity. A contract will be signed to build a waste treatment facility to do just that.
“However, so far no decision’s been made about what sort of facility that will be, or where it will be located.
“But it will be the best and safest type available, with the latest technology to protect the environment. It will meet the waste demands of West Sussex for many years to come.”
Waste Side Story points out that all councils in West Sussex are working together on waste.
“All eyes are on the target of recycling 45 per cent of household waste by 2015 – a target they’re confident of not only reaching, but actually topping.”
Derek Whittington, County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “Waste Side Story highlights the challenges ahead and the steps we are taking to tackle the mountain of rubbish in West Sussex.”
Waste Side Story can be viewed on www.westsussex.gov.uk (follow the More News link on the Home Page and scroll down to West Sussex Videos), the ITV website www.yournews.itvlocal.com and YouTube.
