From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, August 02, 2007

PEOPLE who use Devon County Council's Knowle Hill Recycling Centre near Exmouth are being reminded that the site cannot recycle all forms of plastic.

All recycling centres in Devon currently have facilities for recycling plastic bottles. The collection containers are clearly marked, "Plastic Bottles Only".

An additional bag for non-recyclable plastics has until now been provided for the public at the Knowle Hill site, to encourage the public not to contaminate the bottle container with other plastics. This bag was provided as a disposal facility only and the contents are not recycled.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "It appears that over time, some members of the public believed this additional bag at Knowle Hill was for mixed plastics recycling, but this has never been the case. To remedy the situation, an additional information sign will be provided to clarify that mixed plastics will not be accepted for recycling.

"The County Council is constantly monitoring the state of the plastics recycling market, and we hope that it will become viable in the future to collect mixed plastics for recycling at all of our Recycling Centres."

Knowle Hill Recycling Centre recycled 74.6% of the waste taken to the site last year, which is one of the highest rates in Devon. Devon County Council as a whole recycled 45.8% of its waste collected in the past 12 months, unofficially the third highest recycling rate nationally.

People are also reminded that they can cut down on the use of plastic carrier bags by using an environmentally friendly Don't let Devon go to waste reusable cotton bag. To obtain your bag visit www.recycledevon.org

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers 01297 680384.