The change from boxes to bins for recycling in North East Lincolnshire has vastly improved the cleanliness of our streets.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, outlined the current position regarding refuse collections at this week’s virtual Full Council meeting.
He said: “As we are changing both the number of crews and type of vehicles used to collect waste, we have had to design new rounds both for general household waste and recycling. They are planned by a specialist company that takes data – including every address we collect from, the distances vehicles need to cover, the amount and frequency of waste and recycling collected, the types of street, and other details – and works out the most efficient way to run them.
“Changes to collection dates have been widely publicised since the introduction of the new recycling bins in July 2020. Information about changes to collection dates for both bins was included in the booklet we distributed to households with the new bins, the leaflet delivered before Christmas and the calendar booklets sent to households in February. Presentations have been offered to all council members, as well as parish councils etc, for each stage of the project, to help keep everyone informed of the changes ahead.
“In addition, the changes have been publicised by local media. We are also advertising the changes on our bin lorries and on local commercial radio, digital streaming channels and social media. In all our messages we are advising people that bin days are changing, and they can check their dates online. More than 37,000 individuals have used our online bin calendar since February 15 this year – well over half of all households. Considering the magnitude of the change for almost 75,000 household, we are pleased to report we have only received 16 reports of concerns from residents since February, all of whom have received a response and resolution.
“With the introduction of the changes, there has been a one-off change in frequency for some households. Some have gained a week and have a weekly collection for first two weeks, most will either gain or lose a few days, and some will need to wait an extra week. For the averaged sized household this should be fine, as most domestic bins are not full after fortnightly collections. Most green bins we empty are about 60 to 75 per cent full after two weeks. Waste crews are monitoring the waste volumes and have reported very few issues.
“We have not received any reports of negative impact on the street scene as a result of the changes; instead, the change from boxes to bins has reduced the presence of windblown litter on collection days and made it easier for our street cleansing team to ensure streets remain clean.
“We completed an extensive waste strategy consultation in January 2020 and achieved a record number of responses from residents. We listened to the views of residents and the changes we have introduced are what people told us they wanted to see and has substantially increased the recycling volume available for residents.”
In response to a question about recycling, Councillor Swinburn said: “People care passionately about the environment. They want to see less plastic pollution and recycle as much as they can. I’m proud to say people in North East Lincolnshire are now recycling more than ever.
“From next month, we will also start a trial of separate weekly food waste recycling for 5,000 residents, and we are hoping regular food waste collections will further be able to enhance the recycling offer for all residents by 2023.”
To find your refuse collection dates, click here.
About the author