Fly-tippers force cardboard recycling suspension

Cardboard recycling contaminated with meat and plastic Credit: Copeland Borough Council

Cardboard collection at all of Copeland’s recycling sites has been suspended after recycling banks were contaminated with non-cardboard items including meat and plastic.

Last month the council appealed for the public to be extra vigilant when visiting recycling centres after a large quantity of meat was found dumped in a cardboard recycling unit in Whitehaven. This month meat was found in another cardboard container at a different site.

The meat, along with a significant amount of general household and trade waste, now means cardboard from Copeland cannot be sent for recycling – and the council says it has been forced to suspend the service until it can find ways to stop individuals abusing the facility.

Anyone with information about the abuse of the recycling service is asked to contact Copeland Borough Council on 01946 598300.