The council said the plans, to be implemented from 19 June are expected to save £1m per annum from a reduction in disposal costs of residual waste collected at the kerbside along with increased revenue from more recycling.
As part of the plans, the local authority said that single pass vehicles to collect food, cardboard, cartons, plastic, cans, glass, textiles and small electrical items will replace the previous fortnightly, two vehicle system.
Black bins for non-recyclable waste and green bins for garden waste will continue to be emptied every fortnight.
Smaller
And, the local authority confirmed that the current 240 litres black residual waste bins will be replaced with smaller 140 litre bins towards the end of the year.
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, a South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said despite financial pressures it is “committed” to keeping a high quality kerbside sort collection.
He continued: “The single pass vehicle allows us to do this whilst improving the service to our residents, making it simpler and easier for everyone to recycle. We are hoping to increase recycling by 7,000 tonnes a year and achieve a recycling rate of over 60 per cent by 2020 from the changes.”
According to the council, a review of residual bin waste highlighted that 52% of an average bin in South Gloucestershire consisted of items that could have been recycled. And, if this waste had been separated for recycling “it could have saved over £3m a year”.
Nappies
In response to “concerns” raised during the consultation, the council said it has introduced one use nappy bags that can be used for disposable nappy waste and put out alongside the black bin on collection day. A ‘Happy Nappies’ scheme has also been introduced to promote the use of reusable nappies with discounted ‘birth to potty’ reusable nappy kits.
Improvement works have been carried out on the transfer station and recycling yard attached to the Mangotsfield Sort It recycling centre, to facilitate the move to weekly collections.
Related links
Recycling roadshows
Sort It centres
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