Conservatives to Implement Alternate Weekly Rubbish Collection in April 2008

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 29th Sep 2007

Alternate weekly rubbish collection means that the Council will collect recyclable waste one week and non-recyclable waste the following week. The purpose is to improve recycling rates (from 29% in 2006/7 to 45% in 2009/10) and to reduce volumes of rubbish going to landfill (avoiding escalating landfill taxes).

Conservatives hinted they would stop implementation of these unpopular proposals through their ambiguously worded "better waste collection" manifesto commitment in the run-up to the Warwick District Council elections in May 2007.

The scheme is unpopular because some residents are concerned that storing kitchen waste for up to a fortnight would lead to unpleasant odours and encourage vermin. The additional new wheelie-bins are also regarded as being unsuitable for some types of residential properties such as terraced housing.

Lib Dem Councillors believe that implementation of alternate weekly collection is the right thing to do because it is the only sustainable and viable option. However, we believe it should be implemented sensitively taking account of the needs of specific streets and individuals. We will oppose a "one size fits all" strategy and await further details from the Conservatives.

More information comparing the existing and proposed waste collection service are described below:

How to reduce rubbish going to landfill?

Existing Waste Collection Service - cost £3.3m (and will rise with landfill tax if no change)

Residual Waste:

• No containers provided;

• Weekly collection and from back door (80% of residents place their refuse at kerbside);

• No limit on the amount of waste placed out;

• Garden waste with pre-paid ticket;

• Special collection of large bulky items (chargeable);

• Special arrangements for flats and multi-occupancy properties;

• Annual cost £45/household.

Garden Waste:

• 24,000 properties out of possible 50,000 eligible provided with green bin;

• No limit on waste collected;

• Kerbside scheme (two weekly cycle);

• Annual cost £29/household.

Dry Recyclables:

• 56,000 properties have 55 litre boxes (excludes flats);

• Paper, glass and tins collected

• Kerbside scheme, two weekly cycle;

• Sorting by householders;

• No limit on waste collected;

• Participation 50%;

• Annual cost £5/household

St Nicholas Park used to be a rubbish tip

Proposed Alternate Weekly Collection Service - cost £4.2m (but future landfill tax avoided)

Refuse Collection:

• Grey 180L wheelie bin provided to 75% of households with two-weekly collection frequency;

• Remaining 25% without suitable storage for bins to be serviced by grey sack collection or bulk containers collected weekly

• Kerbside collection only;

• Amount of waste placed out limited by container size;

• On request collection of bulky items and clinical waste.

Garden Waste:

• Green 240L wheelie bin or "specified bags" provided to all 50,000 eligible households;

• Collected fortnightly on alternate week to refuse collection from kerbside;

Dry Recyclables:

• Continued use of 55 litre red boxes;

• Designated units for flats and multi-occupancy residences

• Textiles, card and plastic bottles will also be collected in addition to paper, glass and cans

• Kerbside scheme collected on same week as garden waste;

Alternate Weekly Collections - the right answer?

If you would like to comment on the proposals, please email nick.pittarello@warwickdc.gov.uk

Related Links:

Warwick District Council Waste Collection Information.

Article on BBC Website.

Leamington Courier Articles.