CIWM Responds To Weekly Bin Collection Argument

31 May 2011

Responding to current media coverage surrounding the possible reintroduction of weekly bin collections, CIWM has called for a more informed and considered debate

CIWM Chief Executive Steve Lee said: "We don't know what will be in the Government's Review of Waste Policy. However, the next steps in waste collection and recycling need clear thinking rather than tub-thumping. It isn't just a matter of how often our waste is collected; it is about providing waste and recycling services that give the maximum environmental and economic benefits whilst being convenient and easy to use.

"We need to keep as much waste as possible out of landfill and put it back to work. CIWM would therefore welcome Government encouragement and support for weekly separate food waste collections as part of its Waste Policy Review. Already adopted by all 22 councils in Wales¹, as well as a number of English councils, this approach removes the perishable element of our rubbish. It also provides valuable renewable energy if waste food is sent for anaerobic digestion. However, we have no details yet and further speculation at this point is unhelpful.

"Decisions about how waste is collected are rightly made at the local level. Over half of English councils have moved to fortnightly collection programmes to boost recycling rates efficiently and cost effectively, with positive results. Many of the highest recycling performers use some form of fortnightly system² and enjoy high levels of resident satisfaction.

"The UK needs to recycle more and throw away less. Making more efficient use of our resources, including waste, is at the heart of 'green' growth and CIWM hopes that this bigger message, and clarity about how we collect our household waste to support this, will be in the Government's Waste Policy Review. This will allow councils to get on with providing appropriate and efficient services at the right cost."

* Eighty per cent of households in Wales have separate collections of food or food and green waste, with all 22 Welsh councils provide the service to at least some of their residents.
http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/environmentandcountryside/2011/110215foodwaste/?lang=en

• According to a report published by WYG Environment (Review of Kerbside Recycling Collection Schemes in the UK in 2009/10), of the top 30 performing UK local authorities in 2009/10, 21 collected refuse fortnightly, 23 collected recycling fortnightly, and 17 collected both refuse and recycling fortnightly, including all of the top 10.
  www.wyg.com/recyclingreview
  
  

CIWM's Terry March will be talking on this issue on the BBC2's Jeremy Vine show at 1pm. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011dbfj

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