Bath and North East Somerset Council is set to implement changes to evening business waste collection times in the city centre starting October 6. The adjustments aim to reduce litter and improve the city’s appearance during the busy early evening hours when both tourists and residents are out. However, many local businesses fear the new schedule will impose significant financial burdens.
Under the new scheme, shops must now place their waste outside between 6pm and 8:30pm, a shift from the current window of 5pm to 8:45pm. This change poses a challenge for businesses that close at 5pm, as they would potentially need to retain staff longer to manage waste disposal, potentially costing upwards of £3,089 per year in additional wages, according to the council’s own analysis.
The 12-month pilot program also introduces stricter waste management requirements. Businesses will be required to bag their waste and use reusable, gull-proof sacks or bins. All containers must be clearly labeled with the business’s name and address. Morning waste collection hours remain the same, running from 7:30am to 10am.
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Council Cabinet Member for Resources Mark Elliott explained the rationale behind the changes: “Bath is a vibrant city with many heritage attractions, but this means businesses produce significant waste. Despite efforts to cut packaging, early evenings currently see waste littered on pavements, attracting gulls and creating an unsightly environment. This pilot seeks to enhance the city’s visual appeal during peak hours and aligns collection times with the city centre security scheme.”
Elliott added that the council had considered feedback from businesses and believed improved waste containment would mitigate mess and noise caused by gulls, ultimately benefiting visitors and residents alike.
Nevertheless, local shopkeepers have voiced strong opposition, describing the new timings as impractical. Charlie Dalton-Ball of family-run S. P. Green & Co on Green Street commented, “While it may look feasible on paper, in reality, this schedule is unworkable for businesses like ours. Our hours are 10am to 5:30pm, leaving no time when waste can be legally placed outside while the shop is still staffed.”
Dalton-Ball further warned that the real costs could exceed the council’s estimate, especially for businesses requiring two staff members onsite. His concerns were raised at a council scrutiny panel meeting in July, convened after nine backbench councillors labeled the plan “unsustainable.” Despite his warnings, Elliott suggested the council’s estimate was a worst-case scenario and noted that only a small fraction of contacted businesses responded to the consultation, with 93% opposing the proposal.
As the pilot program approaches, tension remains between the council’s goal of a cleaner, more attractive city centre and businesses wary of the new operational costs and logistical challenges.