The government's plans to help local authorities to increase the frequency of waste collections as part of its waste review will worry councils and could potentially impinge on their right to adopt the best system for their area, waste companies and the Local Government Association have warned.
The comments come in the wake of environment secretary Caroline Spelman last week (July 29) unveiling the terms of reference for the government's analysis of existing waste policy in England, which included a pledge to work with councils to improve the “frequency and quality” of refuse collections (see letsrecycle.com story).
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to bin collections
Cllr Gary Porter, chair, LGA environment board
In response to the publication of the terms of reference, the Local Government Association (LGA) said that, while there was a need to improve recycling performance, it should be a local authority decision on how best to achieve this.
Councillor Gary Porter, head of the LGA's Environment Board, said: “There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to bin collections. Councils use many different methods to encourage people to recycle, and different methods work best in different areas. Councils will continue to work with residents to decide which approach works best for their area.”
And, although the terms of reference document did not expressly state an intention to impose weekly waste collections, the issue of collection frequency has regularly raised by the coalition government, and communities secretary Eric Pickles in particular, since it took office (see letsrecycle.com story).
Collections
Cllr Porter's cautious approach was supported by waste and recycling collection contractor Verdant Group, which currently provides a collection service to over one million households in 25 local authority areas.
A spokesman for the company told letsrecycle.com: “The [government] focus on collection frequency will worry all those councils, and their residents, who find that fortnightly collections work well, improve local recycling and lower costs.
“Councils should have the freedom to choose the collection system and frequency that best meets their needs and budgets. Public finances are going to be squeezed hard and it is difficult to see how a return to weekly collections makes financial sense.”
Planning
Meanwhile, waste management firm Viridor welcomed the launch of the review, but urged the government to introduce measures as part of the review to help streamline the planning process and drive infrastructure development.
The company's chief executive, Colin Drummond, said: “Such private sector investment, experience and expertise in partnering the community and public sectors will be vital to ensuring local and national objectives are met. But we can't afford another two, three or four years of planning delays.
“The test will be whether the government provides the right incentives for private sector and community investment and ensures an effective democratic planning process which is capable of delivering essential national waste management and renewable energy infrastructure.”
The terms of reference did allude to the government's wider localism agenda, through plans to enable community ownership of waste management infrastructure.
And, the launch of the review was also tentatively welcomed by waste management firm Veolia Environmental Services. A spokesman for the company told letsrecycle.com: “We welcome this Defra Waste Review for England and will prepare a full and considered response.”
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