Around 3,600 homes around Frome have been selected to take part in a national project to test new ways of collecting and recycling plastic bags and wrapping that would previously have gone into the rubbish bin. Rishi Sunak's government has chosen the Somerset town to participate in the FlexCollect trial.
Residents will be able to recycle a wide range of soft plastics, including carrier bags, bread bags, crisp packets, biscuit wrappers, cling film and food packaging. The material will be collected from the kerbside and processed through specialist recycling facilities.
The wider national trial involves local authorities, industry partners and environmental organisations working together to develop practical solutions for recycling flexible plastics. The findings will help inform future recycling services across the UK.
Soft plastics remain one of the largest categories of packaging not routinely collected from households. By participating in FlexCollect, households in Frome helping to pioneer a more sustainable approach that could significantly reduce the amount of plastic sent to energy recovery or landfill.
The trial will also provide valuable information about participation rates, collection methods and the quality of material collected, helping shape future policy and investment decisions.
Local campaigner Graham Godwin-Pearson says, "Recycling soft plastics is a game-changer for households and for the environment. Obviously I'd rather it was Axbridge, Cheddar and Shipham rather than Frome, but I welcome the FlexCollect trial in the strongest possible way and look forward to seeing the results."
