Garden Waste Changes Spark Fortnightly Rubbish Collection Fears

Council change contractors and plan new charges for garden waste

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There's has been an angry reaction to news that Ealing Council is planning to charge for garden waste collections.

Proposals, which will be discussed in Cabinet next Tuesday, are to charge residents a £40 annual fee to collect garden material on a fortnightly basis.

The pink sacks would be replaced by wheelie bins residents pay a subscription for - the council is looking at reusable bags or biodegradable bags for those living in properties where a wheelie bin isn't suitable.

The Council has changed contractors and new refuse arrangements are currently being negotiated which have also raised the prospect of fortnightly collections for general household waste.

Councillor David Millican, Conservative Group Leader said:

'' The Council is changing contractors and the new contract includes the option for· fortnightly refuse collection· borough wide collection of refuse in large size wheelie bins· all recycling to be collected fortnightly in large wheelie bins.

''It will· phase out white sacks for plastic- charge for collecting all green garden waste
I strongly oppose collecting waste and re-cycling fortnightly.

''Labour put in their election manifesto that they would keep weekly collections and are already considering introducing fortnightly collections. This is not what residents have told us they want.

But Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for the environment said the garden waste charge will mean waste collections can stay weekly:

'' The new charge will simply cover the cost of running a new service, can be split over the year by direct debit and importantly will have a discount for older residents across the borough.

''It will be cheaper than near-by charges by Richmond or Kingston and many of the other London boroughs that have a paid-for garden waste service, none of whom have faced any issues with fly-tipping as a consequence.

''We will continue to collect real Christmas trees from all households for free every January and residents will have the option to take their garden waste for free to one of our Recycling Sites or to take up our a discounted compost bin and do the green thing by compositing their garden waste at home.

''We did not wish to re-introduce a paid-for service for garden waste collection, but given the current demands facing us as a council, which means we will NOT have to introduce fortnightly collection for all waste and recycling for all households as other boroughs are.''

 

What do you think? Discuss on the forum.

 

8th September 2011