A series of roadshows beginning this week, Saturday 6 September, is being organised to explain why Peterborough City Council needs to develop new materials recycling and energy-from-waste facilities to end the environmental damage caused when rubbish is buried in landfill sites.

Prior to the roadshows all residents will receive a consultation brochure explaining that the city council wants to build the new waste management facilities in the Fengate area.

Under a policy adopted in February 2007 the city council aims to recycle and compost over 65% of discarded household and garden materials by 2020 and to use non-recycled waste as fuel to generate electricity and heat in an energy-from-waste plant.

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The measures will minimise environmental damage caused by methane, a potent global warming gas that is produced when biodegradable rubbish decomposes in landfill sites. They will also offer sustainable recycling and disposal solutions when the Dogsthorpe landfill site used for municipal waste is filled and closed by the end of 2013.

Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald, Cabinet member for the environment, urged all residents to read the consultation brochure carefully and to visit the roadshows to have their questions answered.

He said: "Environmental protection laws mean we must adopt more sustainable approaches to waste management. It is important that local residents give us their feedback on our plans to meet those legal requirements.

"Peterborough residents have helped make the city one of the UK's top recyclers by using our recycling centre, bring banks and three-bin household collection service to full advantage. However, we still need to achieve more to prevent the environmental damage caused by landfilled rubbish."

(CD/JM)