RECYCLING opportunities in Peasedown are changing as national schemes are being reduced and local efforts are being refocused to meet current needs.

For the last four years the Peasedown Environment Group (PEG) has been collecting plastic items that can’t go into the kerb-side boxes.

The group has collected crisp packets, pet pouches, biscuit wrappers, pens, bread bags, and more — diverting over a ton of waste from landfill. This material has been sent to TerraCycle, a private company that runs specialist recycling programmes for hard-to-recycle items not accepted in regular kerbside collections. Through these programmes, TerraCycle transforms such waste into new plastic products.

Several sponsoring companies have withdrawn from TerraCycle’s programmes, resulting in a significant reduction in the range of products accepted for recycling. While some large supermarkets now accept soft plastics, the proportion actually recycled through these channels remains minimal.

In light of these developments, and following a marked decline in local participation — with monthly collections dropping from 20kg to 30kg to approximately 1.5kg, and the number of accepted items reduced from twelve to four — the Peasedown Environment Group (PEG) has decided it is no longer viable to continue hosting monthly collection sessions.op these items in between 10am and noon. PEG do ask that you don’t leave anything other soft plastics.

The Midsomer Norton Lions collect used spectacles as part of their charitable work. Once collected, the glasses are sorted and sent to countries where access to eyewear is limited.

The upcoming Repair Café session, during which residents can bring items such as spectacles, hand tools, and other recyclable materials for collection, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 26.

For those seeking information about environmental activities in Peasedown, updates are regularly posted on the Peasedown Environment Group’s official Facebook page.