July 2023 news

View our news items from July 2023.

Let’s SCRAP Fly Tipping!

The West Sussex Waste Partnership - formed of the County Council and all the district and borough councils in West Sussex - has partnered with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Sussex Police, the Environment Agency and others, in order to highlight and reduce the problems that fly tipping causes. The partners are also helping residents and businesses to avoid unknowingly contributing to fly tipping within West Sussex.

One example of how the partners are working together is through trialling joint operations across various locations in West Sussex. With the intention to both deter and disrupt fly tippers and avoid other waste crimes, officers from a range of partners have been stopping vehicles that may be carrying waste, checking compliance, and interviewing drivers. Various vehicles have been seized, and drivers fined, for a range of offences.

Due to the success of the trial operations all partners have committed to extending the operations, on a rolling programme through West Sussex.

Businesses that carry waste can apply for a waste carrier license online. Residents should remain vigilant and continue to follow the SCRAP code:

Suspect waste carriers
Check they are licensed
Refuse unexpected offers to dispose of waste
Ask how the carrier will dispose of the waste
Obtain Paperwork

More information on duty of care and correct disposal of household waste can be found on our Let's SCRAP fly tipping web page.

Reduce your plastic waste with Plastic Free July

Here at West Sussex Recycles we’re supporting Plastic Free July and we’re asking residents to join us. Last year, over 80 tonnes of plastic was recycled in West Sussex (that’s the weight of a space shuttle!).

Whilst recycling your plastic is great, this Plastic Free July, why not try and reduce this where possible. Choose to refuse and pledge to make swaps that will help to reduce your plastic waste. These swaps can be as easy as using reusable shopping bags or using a reusable container to store leftovers. Or, if you have young children in nappies, why not try switching to reusable nappies.

Our team have been busy exploring alternatives to plastic, you can find out more about the swap’s we’re making this July by visiting our Easy swaps for Plastic Free July web page.

Learn to Think Before you Throw and visit our updated website

Curious about how recycling works in West Sussex? Find out how you can Think Before You Throw and keep an eye on our social media pages for information on the West Sussex Waste Partnership, what can and can’t be recycled and how to reduce your waste even more.

As part of our new campaign we're updating our website so it has a new and improved look. Why not head over to our homepage and check it out?

Updated guidance on the disposal of single use vapes

Due to the lithium batteries contained in disposable vapes, it is important they are not disposed of in your general waste and recycling bins. This is because mixing these batteries with other waste streams is a fire hazard and can cause fires in collection vehicles and our waste plants.

Previously, we advised that vapes could be disposed of at our Recycling Centres in the small electricals’ container. We have since introduced separate containers for the disposal of vapes, which will be introduced to all of our Recycling Centres within the next week and all residents will be asked to leave their disposable vapes in a collection tray and from there they will be safely collected by site staff and processed for recycling.

Alternatively, all of the district and borough councils in West Sussex offer kerbside small electrical collections.

For more information on these collections visit your local authority’s webpage:

Waste prevention events

Throughout West Sussex, we have a team of passionate waste and recycling volunteers and advisers. They attend public and private events to promote waste prevention and are keen to answer questions on the county's recycling provision and waste prevention.

Why not pop by one of the events below and say hi!

For more information on any of the listed events below, or if you would like our team to attend an event please email waste.prevention@westsussex.gov.uk.

July/August 2023 events

  • Saturday 8 July 2023 - Information stand - Rustington Street Fayre - 10.00am to 4.00pm
  • Sunday 9 July 2023 - Information stand - Horsham Centenary Funday, Horsham park - 12 noon to 5.00pm
  • Saturday 15 July 2023 - Information stand - Balcombe Village Fete - From 10.00am
  • Saturday 22 July 2023 - Information stand - Worthing Fire Station open day - 10.00am to 4.00pm
  • Monday 7 August 2023 - Information stand - Presentation Church, Haywards Heath - From 2.30pm
  • Tuesday 8 August 2023 - Information stand - Buchan Country Park
  • Wednesday 16 August 2023 - Information stand - Green Play Day, Florence Park - 2.00pm to 4.00pm
  • Saturday 19 August 2023 - Information stand - Ashington festival, Ashington recreation ground -
  • Wednesday 23 August 2023 - Information stand - Littlehampton Loves Art - 11.00am to 3.00pm