100 MILLION POUND Scheme Could See The Return Of Weekly Bin Collections

31 May 2011

The Government is reported to be finalising details of what national newspapers, such as the Independent and The Telegraph claim, is a £100m scheme that will give councils a financial incentive to empty bins every week rather than fortnightly

The Telegraph said: "A source close to the review said the funding plans for councils to restore weekly bin collections - estimated to be about £100m a year - had been agreed and the scheme will be unveiled within the next fortnight."

The Department for Environment confirmed that the scheme is to be included in a review of waste policy, which would give local authorities financial incentives to re-establish weekly bin days.

The Local Government Association (LGA), however, has warned that many councils would choose to remain collecting fortnightly in order to boost recycling rates.

Around half of councils abandoned weekly collections in a bid to encourage families to recycle more. An LGA spokesman said that although cost would be an issue in restoring weekly collections, councils also had a duty to meet tough EU recycling targets.

The LGA also said councils would need a pledge of long-term funding, along with a guarantee that Whitehall would pick up the additional landfill tax bill if the move led to an increase in the amount of rubbish being collected.

Doretta Cocks, of the Campaign for Weekly Waste Collection said of the plans: "In the end this is a local decision - there is no one-size-fits-all policy for waste collection and councils will respond in different ways."

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Chancellor George Osborne have denied being close to agreeing a funding deal to help councils reintroduce weekly bin rounds. However, it is thought cash incentives will be involved.

Darrel Moore