Rubbish - council will go ahead with changes (South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats)

South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats <info@swwiltshirelibdems.org.uk>

Rubbish - council will go ahead with changes

October 19, 2010 9:59 AM

Wheelie bin A recent public consultation on changes to waste and recycling collections in Wiltshire got over 10,000 replies, with 70% of people supporting the Council's proposal to move to fortnightly collections across the county and to improve recycling.

WC now has to get planning permission for and develop new sites for the management of the changing tonnages of waste and recyclates.

The WC Cabinet agreed in October 2010 to the implementation of the changes. Potential problems will include the development of waste management sites, the availability of depot space for additional vehicles, and the procurement of vehicles, bins and bags.

Cabinet will also agree to an 'area by area' phasing of new services, to minimise disruption and to assist residents during the change. Enforcement action will be used against those who repeatedly fail to use the correct receptacle for recycling, or create side waste, after a "settling down" period of six months.

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The scheme is a great improvement on the original 'harmonisation' proposed by the Conservatives, which simply took the lowest common denominator of the old district councils - there would be fortnightly collections but with no cardboard or plastic collections and charges for green waste collection. The impetus for a better way was given by the Liberal Democrats on the Waste Scrutiny Task Group who produced a minority report setting out why the council needed to be more ambitious.

The scheme is similar to that proposed in the Lib Dem manifesto for the 2009 elections. The only difference is that we wanted to include a food waste collection to avoid the problems of smell and vermin which can be associated with fortnightly collections, and to reduce the amount going to landfill. The council is considering this option and it's likely to be the next step forward.

Next year all households will be given a wheelie bin to put their cardboard and plastics in. If you live in West Wiltshire this will be the only change.

If you live in Salisbury District you'll have to get used to fortnightly collections, and you'll have the option of having a green bin for garden waste.

Introduction of the changes will be phased. The extended recycling will come in first - North Wilts in June, Kennet and Salisbury in July, and West Wilts in August. Then fortnightly collections will start in October in Salisbury and North Wilts.

In summary, this is what you'll get:

One wheeled bin for household residual waste. Standard receptacle will be (Grey lid) size 180 litres.

One wheeled bin for plastic bottles and cardboard. Standard receptacle will be (Blue lid) size 240 litres.

Up to two kerbside recycling boxes or baskets for other dry recyclable materials. (Black). Second boxes made available upon request.

One wheeled bin for garden waste at no charge, upon request. Standard receptacle will be (Green lid) size 180 litres. Additional bins will be provided on request, at a charge of £30 per bin on a renewable yearly agreement.

There will be special arrangements for those who need it such as people who live in flats or in properties which would have difficulty storing all the bins and containers.