Alternative waste collection services to be trialled in Shropshire
Two hundred households in Shropshire are to take part in two 12-week trials of a new waste collection service from next month.
The trials start in the week beginning Monday 14 July 2014 and are being carried out as part of a review of the waste collection services provided by Shropshire Council and its waste contractor Veolia.
The review is looking at how to provide the best possible service for the residents of Shropshire, boost the amount of waste that is recycled, and provide the best value for money for the county’s council tax payers.
A key aim is to explore ways to reintroduce kerbside collections of cardboard for recycling, and extend collections of food waste.
The trial covers a total of 206 properties in Bayston Hill, Meole Brace, and Hanwood.
From this week (week beginning Monday 23 June 2014) the households involved in the trial will each receive a leaflet and a visit from Shropshire Council, to explain the changes to their collection service.
Anyone who doesn’t receive a leaflet or a visit is not involved in the trial so should continue to put their waste out for collection as usual.
Any new bins or boxes needed during the trials will also be delivered to households in advance.
The trial areas, and further details, are:
Area 1: Bayston Hill (and one street in Meole Brace)
Streets involved: Castle Road and Broad Oak Crescent in Bayston Hill; Netley Road in Meole Brace
Collection day: Thursday
Households to receive information leaflet/visit from Shropshire Council: week beginning 23 June 2014.
New bins to be delivered: week beginning 30 June 2014
New boxes and food waste caddy to be delivered: week beginning 7 July 2014
Change to existing service: Food waste will be collected separately and weekly; cardboard will be collected with paper in recycling box; plastic, glass and metal will be collected together in one, new, bin.
Area 2: Hanwood
Streets involved: Oaklands View, Willow Drive, Poplars Avenue, Oak Road, and part of Caradoc View.
Collection day: Tuesday
Households to receive information leaflet/visit from Shropshire Council: week beginning 30 June 2014.
New boxes/food waste caddy to be delivered: week beginning 7 July 2014
Change to existing service: Food waste will be collected with garden waste; cardboard will be collected with paper in recycling box.
Refuse collections will not change and collection days will also stay the same.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for waste management, said:
“I’m pleased that these trials of two new collection services are about to take place and I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome. The trials will play a huge part in meeting our aim of providing the best possible collection service and best value for money – and in meeting our pledge to increase recycling and reintroduce kerbside collections of cardboard.
“We know that people want to see the return of kerbside collections of cardboard, and we’ve listened to residents’ concerns and comments and have made kerbside cardboard collection a priority when devising these two trial services.
“No decisions have yet been made about the final collection service model that will be introduced countywide, and all the findings from the trials will be taken into account before any decisions are taken. Feedback from residents and councillors will be considered, as will the types of vehicles and containers needed, and the number and type of materials successfully collected during the trial.”
A final recommendation will go to Shropshire Council’s Cabinet and full Council for approval, with a new service being rolled out across the county in mid- to late- 2015.
The two trial areas have been selected for a number of reasons. The streets offer a good socio-demographic mix representative of the rest of the county; good access for the waste collection vehicles being used in the trials; good transport links, and close proximity to Battlefield waste transfer station – to where all food waste must be taken.
Residents in the trial areas who have question about the trial can call Shropshire Council on 0345 678 9028, or email waste.trial@shropshire.gov.uk.
