Did you know, a staggering 298 tonnes of recyclable material had to be rejected for recycling last year? The recyclable material had been contaminated by unrecyclable items that prevented it from being made into something else. 

This is a massive issue because rejected loads and contamination of dry mixed recycling is expensive for local councils to sort out – and that extra cost is passed on to councils and the taxpayer. Recycling makes financial sense for councils as it is cheaper than disposing of waste as rubbish and leaves more cash available for other essential services. It also generates less carbon dioxide than rubbish disposal, so it has additional environmental benefits.

It’s widely recognised that recycling can be confusing, though. Putting the wrong thing in the recycling is easily done. The good news is you can follow these five steps to help make it a little easier. 

• Packaging can be misleading. Or you may think to yourself ‘it looks recyclable.’ Check firstby using the Surrey Recycles search tool or downloading it as a free app. It also includes information on how to recycle items that aren’t accepted in your household recycling collections such as crisp packets and food and drink cartons.

• Check what you can recycle separately. In most areas of Surrey, food waste and garden waste, small electricals, batteries and textiles recycling are collected separately – they don’t go in your recycling bin. Use our recycling search tool or free Surrey Recycles app to check how to recycle them.
• No food or drink residue as moisture and grease will ruin cardboard and paper and make it unrecyclable. Give food and drink packaging a quick rinse by dunking it into soaking pans before placing in your recycling bin.
• Place all items loose in your recycling bin – nothing inside bags, sacks or bin liners please.
• Play to bin – try our drag and drop waste sorting game today!

Remember, other small changes like swapping to reusables where possible will really help as you’ll be creating less waste in the first place. Find out more at: surreyep.org.uk.

Work is beginning on a review of Surrey County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). Surrey County Council is seeking the views of your council prior to drafting the new ROWIP so that the document reflects local priorities. 

Surrey County Council is responsible for around 2164 miles (3482 km) of public footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic across the whole of Surrey County. 

Surrey County Council’s ROWIP is an important strategic policy document, which the council is required by law to have in place. It sets out how Surrey County Council can make sure the public rights of way network meets the needs of the public, now and in the future. The process of reviewing the ROWIP, and the engagement being carried out before the new ROWIP is drafted, will help the council to better understand the needs of Surrey County residents.

A public questionnaire for individual councillors or members of the public is available at https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infrastructure/rowip-public 

The survey will close on 10th March 2024.

Following a court order the scheduled referendum for the Elstead & Weyburn Neighbourhood Plan has been deferred due to an error on a map.  The plan will be amended and a new referendum date will be arranged by Waverley BC.  It is anticipated that the new referendum will take place as quickly as possible.  Once we have a date we will advise residents.  A new drop-in date will be arranged at which residents will be able to ask any questions about the plan.

Elstead Parish Council would like to apologise for the delay in informing residents. This delay has been caused by the incredibly complicated legal process that has had to have been undertaken to pause the referendum. Unfortunately, we have not been legally allowed to say anything publicly on this matter until now despite our very best efforts.

Residents will be able to have their say on the Elstead and Weyburn Neighbourhood plan as the referendum has been set for 29th February 2024. A summary of the plan will be letter dropped to all residents ahead of the referendum.

Two drop in sessions have been scheduled for 22nd February 2023; 1-2pm Elstead Youth Centre and 7-8.30pm venue tbc.  Anyone is welcome to pop in if they have any questions or comments about the NHP.

Elstead & Weyburn Notice of Referendum[1]

https://www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Council-information/Registering-to-vote-and-elections/Neighbourhood-Planning-Referendums/Elstead-Weyburn-Neighbourhood-Planning-Referendum-Thursday-29-February-2024