North Somerset Council is set to vote on significant changes to waste collection, including the collection of general waste bins every three weeks and the introduction of new recycling containers. The proposed plans are scheduled to be discussed at the council’s executive meeting on July 17, aiming to address issues with waste disposal and bolster recycling efforts in the region.
Under the proposed changes, the collection frequency of general waste black bins will transition from every two weeks to every three weeks in phases, starting in February and May 2025. Additionally, a new container for cans and plastics will be introduced, and the council plans to collect soft plastics such as crisp packets and vegetable wrap on a weekly basis. This initiative aims to make recycling more convenient for residents, as currently, most people must take their soft plastics to the supermarket for recycling.
To support and inform the community about these changes, a team of “waste minimisation officers” will be deployed to provide guidance. Certain households, such as those with a large number of residents or young children, may be eligible for additional support if they encounter difficulties with the new collection schedule.
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A public consultation on the proposed changes received an “unprecedented” response from approximately 9,105 individuals, indicating strong public interest in waste management policies. While a majority of respondents expressed support for recycling, concerns were raised about the potential challenges of three-weekly bin collections, particularly related to overflowing bins, hygiene, and the impact on households with specific waste management needs.
The council’s statistics revealed that a significant portion of waste disposed of in black bins could have been recycled, with only 55% of the content being appropriate for general waste disposal. Notably, 18% of the waste in black bins consisted of recyclable materials, while 27% comprised food waste, including unopened and packaged food items that were mistakenly discarded.
Annemieke Waite, the executive member for waste at North Somerset Council, emphasized the benefits of the proposed changes, including cost reduction in waste disposal for council taxpayers, improved recycling rates, and enhanced support for households struggling with waste management. Furthermore, the shift to three weekly bin collections is projected to save an estimated £1.1m annually for the council, mainly attributed to increased recycling and reduced disposal costs.
Nevertheless, the transition to a revised waste collection system will necessitate investments in new bins, monitoring systems, and communication efforts, incurring an estimated cost of £851.5k for the local authority. Ms. Waite assured that measures would be implemented to assist households in adapting to the changes and finding alternative solutions if needed.
While three weekly bin collections were previously considered and abandoned, the council is now revisiting the proposal in response to the growing public interest in efficient waste management strategies. The potential adoption of these changes aligns with the council’s vision to create a sustainable environment and reduce the financial burden of waste disposal on the local community.