Somerset to trial three-weekly collections

A pioneering trial that will see refuse collections for some households in Somerset reduced to once every three weeks is due to take place from September 2014, the Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) announced today (August 12).

If found to be successful, councils in Somerset could be among the first in England to adopt three-weekly collections of residual household waste.

However, SWP pointed out that the trials will not lead to immediate changes, but will be considered as part of long-term planning of waste services to be adopted from 2016 at the earliest.

The Recycle More trials, which will last for three months in the Taunton Deane district, will see over 1,000 households in the Wiveliscombe and Langley Marsh area retain weekly collections for recycling and food waste but receive collections of household refuse once every three weeks.

Meanwhile, 1,800 households in the Rowbarton, Deane Drive and Hillyfield areas will see the introduction of kerbside recycling collections for new items such as plastic containers but retain a normal collection frequency of weekly recycling and food waste and fortnightly refuse rounds.

And, in the third trial, 2,300 homes in parts of Wellington and Taunton will receive new kerbside recycling collections as well as a fortnightly collection of both recycling and refuse.

Upon completing the trials, all households involved will revert to their current collection cycles. The trials will not lead to immediate changes, but will be considered as part of long-term planning of waste services to be adopted from 2016 at the earliest.

Impact

The trials are based on recommendations from the Somerset Waste Partnership, which is considering the impact of food waste participation and levels of recycling in the county, as well as ways to reduce costs to the councils under the Partnership.

Most councils in England currently operate weekly or fortnightly residual waste collections, however last month Bury in Greater Manchester became the first council in England to confirm a switch to three-weekly rounds (see letsrecycle.com story).

There is growing pressure on local authorities in England to consider three-weekly collections in order to reduce costs and the amount of residual waste sent to landfill, while a number of Welsh councils have already resorted to the measure (see letsrecycle.com story).

But communities secretary Eric Pickles has criticised the proposals, with DCLG offering a 250 million support scheme to councils who retain or move back to weekly collections of refuse and publishing a controversial bin bible at the end of 2013 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Short-term

Commenting on the three weekly trial in Somerset, SWP managing director Steve Read said: These are short-term, small-scale trials for which all residents involved will get full information and be offered support to overcome any difficulties.

Evidence produced by the Recycle More trials will help develop efficient, cost-effective services that are good for the environment, good for Somerset and meet peoples needs to recycle more, waste less and save money. We are open to the outcome and welcome all feedback.

He added: If the finances stack up, we would very much like to add extra materials to recycling collections. And if less frequent refuse collections encourage people to recycle far more and waste far less, while cutting vehicle numbers on our roads, these are positive, money saving steps forward.

Mr Read has also confirmed that the Partnership is making contact with those who might find the trials difficult to offer support and advice, including larger families and those who need to dispose of nappies.