Council cabinet agree proposal to collect bins once every three weeks

Council cabinet agree proposal to collect bins once every three weeks

Rochdale Council have initially agreed to collect waste every three weeks, with a public consultation in relation to the plans now set to be rolled out across the borough, before a final decision is made.

Councillors sitting on Rochdale Cabinet agreed on the proposals this evening (Monday 29 June) after it was revealed that the council is the worst performing authority in Greater Manchester in terms of recycling rates.

As part of the plans, a new weekly food and garden waste service will be introduced for the collection of perishables; helping to reduce residents concerns over smells.

Speaking at the meeting, Council Leader Richard Farnell said: “If explained clearly to the public, then I think the vast majority of people, who want to recycle, help the environment and save money, will support the plans.

“When fortnightly collections were introduced, a lot of the objections were down to the food waste rotting in the bins for two weeks, creating smells and flies but with this new scheme, a weekly collection would be introduced to stop that.

“We are the worst authority in Greater Manchester in terms of recycling and this has to change. Not because we want to save the environment, but because it is so expensive not too.”

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Council was keen to stress that by approving these plans, this means that a consultation period will commence before plans are rolled out in October.

He added: “Doing nothing is not the answer. We are one of the worst performing local authorities in terms of recycling and we need to catch up. These plans will go out for consultation and we will listen. If there is a more effective and efficient way of doing this, then we want to hear.”

When news was announced last week that collections could be moved to three weeks, the news didn’t sit well with the general public.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96591/council-considers-move-to-empty-bins-just-once-every-three-weeks

Commenting on the Rochdale Online Facebook Page, Sarah Stott said: “Two weeks is bad enough. Its disgusting.”

Nazreen Akhtar said: “This is not on. Two weeks is bad enough. I have a family of two adults and three children and believe me we just about manage on the every fortnightly collection. It’s not helping us recycle because we already do that.”

Andy Taylor said: “An absolute disgrace if this goes ahead against the wishes of the people of Rochdale.”

Many also called for the council to reduce the amount of council tax currently paid by residents if the plans were approved.

It is anticipated that the new scheme will be rolled out in October 2015.