NOT WHEELIE RUBBISH AT ALL

26-04-2007

There are few more vexed questions at the moment than household rubbish collections. Earlier this week, Sandwell resident Lynn Hawthorn complained about her local council’s well meaning attempts to improve recycling - now Sandwell responds.

The gist of Lynn’s article was that some of the practicalities of putting out the various waste streams was less easy than it sounded; and that information about collection dates was unclear - to read the article in full click here.

Here’s what Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for Neighbourhoods Mahboob Hussain has to say:

"Wheeled bins for garden waste have now been introduced to over 94,000 homes across Sandwell, with three quarters of these having been brought onto this collection scheme this month (April).

"Delivering such a huge number of bins in under nine weeks has been a mammoth task. We were keen to expand the service in time for this year's growing season.

"The service has been expanded in response to massive demand from residents following the piloting of the garden waste collection service at an initial32,000 homes.

"From day one, we have said there would inevitably be some teething problems with the expansion of the service, given that this is such a huge operation.

"We are still only three weeks into the expanded service and we feel that things have generally gone much better than we would have expected, and we are addressing a number of enquiries where there are may be some issues.

"The introduction of this fortnightly collection service has been extensively

promoted prior to, during and following the delivery of the bins.

"This has included adverts and media activity, the posting of an introductory

leaflet to homes and further information in the form of a promotional bin hanger hung from the handle of each bin.

"Information about what can be collected is permanently embossed on the lid of each bin.

"Garden waste collection calendars were posted out through Royal Mail. We have relied on Royal Mail for this and if any residents have not received a collection calendar, we would ask them to call Contact Sandwell on 0845 359 7501 or email contact@sandwell.gov.uk

"Early on, the decision was made that the delivery of wheeled bins for garden waste collection would be an 'opt out' scheme - that residents would need to inform the council if they didn't want to take advantage of the collection. This method eliminates the many weeks/months of delay and the huge paper trail which an 'opt-in' scheme would require (i.e. where residents have to inform the council that they wish to be included).

"We have tried to give as many residents as possible the opportunity to have this new collection service, and make it as easy as possible for people to recycle their garden waste.

"Where homes are deemed unsuitable for a wheeled bin due to access, storage issues or where there is no suitable location for the bin to be left on collection day, residents are able to continue to book for the collection of up six bags of garden waste each month.

"We are also looking at options to see if they can be provided with a free composter bin.

"Residents who haven't received a wheeled bin who think that their home should be included on the fortnightly garden waste collection scheme can request a reassessment.

"Residents who don't want to keep their garden waste wheeled bin for aesthetic or other similar reasons are reminded that the wheeled bin has been deemed the most appropriate method of garden waste collection for their home.

"If residents opt out of this service they will not be offered an alternative service. The council does not have the resources to operate parallel services.

"However, if residents have received a bin and think that their home shouldn't be on the scheme they can request a reassessment.

"Each garden waste collection operative is expected to empty up to 1,000 wheeled bins each working day.

"In order to introduce this garden waste collection service with the minimal operating costs, we require residents to take their wheeled bin to the edge of their property on collection day. Our promotional material states that wheeled bins should be taken to the edge of the property with the handles facing the roadside by 07.00am on the day of collection. We are following good practice guidelines from other authorities.

"These steps help operatives to provide a quicker, more efficient service.

"Any residents issued with a garden waste wheeled bin who need assistance in pulling out their bin can request an assisted collection by calling Contact Sandwell on 0845 359 7501.

"The council hasn't placed any onus on residents to share garden waste wheeled bins - instead this solution has been suggested by residents themselves and is in agreement between themselves, where their garden areas has been of a size that they feel themselves this would be a suitable option."

See also yesterday’s story about Lichfield’s place in the top recycling authorities (click here) - a local council which only has fortnightly rubbish collections. Then join the “Green sacks” discussion on our messageboard.