A consultation launched in South Holland is asking if wheelie bins should be introduced and if waste and recycling collected on alternate weeks.
The survey, which is open to submissions until August 25, has been launched ahead of the implementation of a new weekly collection for food waste.
That has to be implemented nationally by March 2026.
Now South Holland District Council is asking residents its views on the whole waste collection service.
Questions include whether South Holland should move to wheelie bins and from a black bag service.
“The benefits of sacks are that they take up a small area of storage and once collected they are gone from the street,” the survey states. “The downsides are that if sacks are not stored in a bin of some type within your property or are put out too early for collection, they can be easily torn by animals and attract vermin, and therefore create litter.
“Also, if the council moves to fortnightly collections, these aspects could become worse.
“The benefits of wheeled bins are that they prevent odour, and animals and vermin from rummaging through your rubbish. The downside is once emptied they remain either in your drive/garden or on the street.”
The council is also proposing collecting rubbish and recycling on alternate weeks.
The authority says that as it will have to collect weekly food waste, there won’t be as much decay and subsequent smells in its rubbish collection.
They argue it could be collected fortnightly.
“Like many local authorities we are also asking residents to reduce the amount of waste produced and increase recycling,” the survey continues. “This is better for the environment and lowers the cost of the service.
“This could be delivered by limiting householders to one wheeled bin of rubbish per fortnight or to no more than four sacks of rubbish (if wheeled bins are not used) for an average household of two adults and two children.”
The council says that 30 per cent of waste is recycled in South Holland which is below the 44 per cent average.
There’s also a national target to recycle 65 per cent by 2035.
The consultation can be found at https://www.sholland.gov.uk/WasteSurvey
There will also be paper copies of the survey at South Holland District Council’s reception in Priory Road, Spalding. There will also be a leaflet drop to every household in the area.
Consultation events are:
Tuesday July 30, 9am-2pm – Spalding Market
Wednesday July 31, 11-3pm Snowden Field, Crowland, PE6 0AL
Thursday August 1, 9am-2pm – Holbeach Market
Thursday August 1, 11-3pm, Matthew Flinders Park, Donington, PE11 4TA
Friday August 2, 9am-2pm – Crowland Market
Friday August 2, 11-3pm West Street Park, Long Sutton, PE12 9BN
Tuesday August 20, 10-4pm Bike Jam, field next to Skate Park, Holbeach Road
Friday August 23, 9am-2pm – Long Sutton Market
Leaflets in different languages will be available, and residents who are visually impaired will be able to access the survey by emailing [email protected] or calling 01775 761161.
Councillor Jack Tyrrell, portfolio holder for environmental services at South Holland District Council, said: “As a council, we recognise the importance of engaging with our community on matters that directly impact their daily lives.
“With the food waste collection changes on the horizon, we have an opportunity to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our operations.
“We really value the input of our residents in shaping the future of our collections. The feedback we receive will play a crucial role in guiding our decisions and ensuring that the waste collection services we provide are tailored to meet the needs of our community.
“I would like to encourage as many people as possible to take part in this survey and share your thoughts and suggestions with us. This is your opportunity to have your say, so we can work towards building a more environmentally friendly and effective waste collection system for our district.”
