Teignbridge considers weekly recycling collections

Collections of dry recycling and food waste in the Devon district of Teignbridge could move from fortnightly to weekly under changes to the local authoritys in-house service recommended in a council report.

The council has put forward a fortnightly value option and preferred weekly best affordable option for changes to its services in a bid to increase its recycling rate, reduce long-term costs and also to comply with future legislation that could see it having to cease including cardboard in its compost collections.

The council also wants to align its services more closely with other Devon authorities, as the countys recycling committee has been investigating opportunities for a county-wide service, which could provide savings for authorities in Devon.

In addition, the capacity of the both the councils Forde Road depot and its Brunel Road bulking station need increasing as the population of the town has grown by 4,700 households over the last 12 years.

According to the council, it operates one of the cheapest waste and street cleansing services in Devon, costing 42.72 per household per year. Its recycling rate was also the 23rd highest in England in 2012/13 at 56.38%.

But, it says the costs of running its ageing seven-year old collection fleet is increasing, and the council said it needs to consider the future of its collection services ahead of the replacement of its fleet in April 2015.

Currently, Teignbridges household waste and recycling is collected on a fortnightly basis. Residents are given: black boxes for paper, food and drinks cans; green boxes for plastic bottles, glass, printer cartridges, mobile phones and batteries; green wheeled containers for thin card and food and green waste; and black wheeled containers for residual waste.

Options

However, the weekly best affordable option put forward as the councils preferred choice would add mixed plastics and cardboard to the materials collected alongside a separate weekly food waste service, with residual waste collected fortnightly. A separate fortnightly garden waste collection would also operate as a paid subscription service, for which a 30% uptake is estimated.

The council anticipates that adding mixed plastics and cardboard to its dry recycling service will improve its current recycling rate by 3%.

The other fortnightly value option put forward by the council would also add mixed plastics and cardboard to the materials collected. This would also remove cardboard from the green wheeled container, although green and food waste would continue to be collected comingled.

But, the best affordable option would be around 1 million cheaper than the value option over the seven-year contract period, while creating 33 additional jobs, the council estimates.
The two recommended options are set to go before the councils overview and scrutiny committee next week (March 10), with the final decision to be made by the executive at a later date.

Teignbridge district councillor Kevin Lake, executive spokesman for environmental services, said: Teignbridge is committed to having an efficient, cost effective, reliable and modern recycling collection service which continues to be highly regarded by its residents. But we still live in tough financial times and like all councils, still need to tighten our belt and deal with a number of challenges that need careful juggling.

Our bin collection is one of our most important and successful services. It’s what people talk about when we are out on the doorstep and is often the biggest cause of debate. Any potential changes could affect every household, every community so we want to look at the options and make an informed decision.