South Ayrshire Council have been selected as joint finalists for their efforts to recycle waste more efficiently.

The local authority are up for the Partnership Excellence- Public/ Private Sector Award at the National Recycling Awards 2020.

The Council’s Waste Management team were shortlisted alongside Egbert Taylor, a leader in international waste management solutions, for their innovative euro bin partnership initiative.

The partnership came about when the Council was looking for a solution to minimise bin contamination, and make it more difficult to put incorrect items into our recycling bins.

They worked with Egbert Taylor to trial their patented T-Lock system on euro bins in one targeted area. This unique system means bin lids lock automatically when closed over. We also trialled a restricted ‘Lid in Lid’ opening, which can be seen in the picture below.

The trial was a huge success. Before we piloted the system 100% of dry mixed recycling waste generated from this area was sent to landfill and since its introduction, we have reduced contamination by an impressive 35%.

We have now implemented the new system in domestic euro bins across South Ayrshire.

The awards will take place in London in December.