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Fortnightly collections of rubbish get all clear
Last updated at 11:52am on 16.03.07
Householders who complain that the abolition of weekly rubbish collections is triggering an increase in vermin are being told they only have themselves to blame, says a new report
Controversial fortnightly waste collection may be introduced in many London boroughs after the Government gave it the all-clear.
Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw said today that research had found no evidence that collections of waste one week and recyclable materials the next would cause health problems.
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Fortnightly refuse collection has been blamed for an increase in rats, insects and other odours around bins.
Mr Bradshaw said that studies found that keeping waste tightly-wrapped and bin lids closed could help minimise any potential increase in insects, odours or other problems.
He said: "Collecting recyclables one week and residual waste the following week has increased the amount of recycling in places where this change has been made.
"Recycling is a vital part of our battle against dangerous climate change — the equivalent of taking three-and-a-half million cars off our roads.
"The research showed that alternate weekly collections work best when the public are informed well in advance."
Ministers would like town halls across the country to consider fortnightly collections. However it is accepted that this system may be more suitable in suburbs, where residents have gardens with room for two bins, one for waste, the other recyclables.
However, local council leaders have admitted that part of the reason for switching to fortnightly collections is to reduce costs. "Local authorities are using every tool in their arsenal to make sure that council tax is kept down and the environment is protected," said Paul Bettison, chairman of the Local Government Association's environment board.
"Alternate week collection is one of those tools. It is proven to increase the amount of recycling and reduce the level of waste sent to landfill." He stressed that town halls are on the "frontline in the fight against climate change".
The main authors of the research, Mark Broomfield and Jonathan Davies, of consultants Enviros, said: "We hope that householders will be reassured by our findings and that our work will contribute to the on-going improvement in recycling of household waste."
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