South Holland residents look likely be getting wheelie bins and alternate weekly collections, despite a recent consultation showing a split response.
Members of the district council’s Cabinet are being recommended to accept a report which sees £3.15m to fund the capital costs of buying wheelie bins and food waste bins in a move that brings the area into line with the majority of councils.
Adopting the bins will enable the council to meet a legal obligation to collect food waste and will also see it ‘meet the legal obligations placed on local authorities to provide an effective and efficient waste management service,’ says the report.
In terms of recycling, the report adds: “The current collection service of enabling unlimited sacks to be presented does not promote waste reduction or incentivise recycling. SHDS residents present the highest amount of waste per household at the kerbside in the county at 750kgs, compared to a county average of 550kg in those councils providing separate paper and card and dry recycling collections in wheeled bins.”
“Introducing wheeled bins, even though a slight majority of residents currently prefer sacks (51 per cent to 49 per cent) is a strategic move that aligns with the broader outcomes of the consultation where 52 per cent supported alternate weekly rubbish and recycling collections and no extra waste.”
“By adopting wheeled bins now, we can streamline the waste collection process, lower operational costs for both this council and Lincolnshire County Council and provide a cleaner, safer environment for all residents. This forward-thinking approach will ultimately benefit the entire community.”
Some additional funding will be received by the council from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) towards the initial cost of setting-up the system using a 240l wheelie bin and a 231l food waste caddy alongside a smaller caddy designed to be used in the house.
Making the change will have a positive effect on recycling rates, carbon emissions and on the health, safety and wellbeing of the collection crews, the report adds.
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