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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."
Reader views (12)
I've seen quite a few businesses lately that offer refuse and recycling collections where the council go fortnightly or do not recycle - a great idea as long as you're willing to pay a little extra!
- Ben Textar, East London
I'm obviously really lucky. Here in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea all our rubbish is collected twice a week. Just as well really. It's the only Council service I actually benefit from. Mind you it's odd that we don't pay the highest council tax rate yet get our rubbish collected twice a week, and our road surfaces are in fantastic condition. Maybe this is what you get for always having a Tory Council!
- Stephanie, Chelsea, England
Will Westminster Council only empty bins in Downing Street on the same fortnightly basis?
- John, Surbiton
Everybody will need two bins!
- Mark, South-East London
Regardless of what their dubious research shows the tax-paying voter wants a rubbish and recyclable collection once a week.
- Andy, london
If Lewisham change to only collecting every other week, then I'll only pay half my council tax, as rubbish collection is about the only service I see for my money.
- Geraldine, London
We can all look forward to an increase in rats and mice, how lovely and hygenic is that? Perhaps we should create a new sport for the Olympics, rat catching, because if this fornightly collection carries on until then, we'll be overrun with them.
- Kay, London
Now are streets are going to be full of litter from over filled garbage containers and what about the smell? Is it me or is it high time this country started implementing common sense?
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
There is really absolutely no need for local authorities apart from emptying the bins. If they aren't prepared to do that basic function, for what purpose am I paying my council tax?
- Steve R, London, UK
The money is probably going to fill pension balckholes. Public sector workers usually have access to extremely preferable pension schemes, however these have not been performing so the money to pay retired council workers has to come from somewhere...
- Mark, London
Where did these surveys take place? In my area there are loads of foxes and cats out to get the rubbish.
- Jay, London
What are they doing with all that tax money? Where does it go?
I can not see any policemen, no dustmen, no GPs, no street cleaners.
Why can we not vote these people out of office?
They want to build houses everywhere but do not want to clean up the mess.
- Gerogie, London
