Recycling improvements as bin rounds are halved
SHEFFIELD Council is to carry out further investigations on how to improve the city’s kerbside recycling service as black bin collections are cut from weekly to fortnightly.
It follows concern that residents will struggle to fit all their rubbish into black bins if they are only emptied every two weeks, leading to a possible increase in fly-tipping - an issue highlighted by Star readers.
One posted on our website: “More black bin bags, rats, dumping. Wait until the dumping increases.”
Another said: “No one will die because of these measures, but I can see fly-tipping becoming more prevalent.”
But some readers in surrounding areas where fortnightly bin collections already operate said such problems have not materialised.
Sheffield Council deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, Coun Bryan Lodge, said: “We want to make improvements to the recycling service so households find it easier to use and are able to dispose of more of their waste that way as black bin collections are reduced.
“We are considering introducing a single wheelie bin for recycling in the medium term.”
The council said that while it considers the issue, it will not make any further expansion of the flexible collection scheme which allows 80,000 households to choose what recyclables to put into their blue bins and boxes.
The council’s ruling Labour group is proposing fortnightly black bin collections to save £2.44 million a year and axe free collection of garden waste to save a further £1.5 million.
The authority must make up to £57 million of spending cuts next year.
Waste management contractor Veolia has promised to ‘consult fully’ with its workforce over possible redundancies caused by reduced rounds.
A spokeswoman said: “We will consult fully with our workforce and the GMB union.”
Peter Davies, regional organiser for the GMB, which represents binmen, fears up to 40 staff could be made redundant.
He said members may consider industrial action if compulsory redundancies are announced.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 26 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
1graybags
Monday, January 16, 2012 at 12:25 PMthere must be lots of other things that the council can cut back on that would not effect the majority of people like this will. Shut down the council and privatise everything, thats what I say. The council are inept and inefficient, leave it to the private sector, as long as there is competition
conradpoons
Monday, January 16, 2012 at 10:18 AMRed Owl, they'll be signing on as they'll be out of a job.
kayte
Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 11:32 AMNo 22 - If refuse collection, which is needed and used by all regardless of age, sex or ethnic origin, is not first line then kindly explain what the ..... f ......hell is?
RED OWL
Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 10:14 AMI would like to make 2 comments, firstly Sheffield Coucil do not want to recycle rubbish,they need as much rubbish as they can to incinerate and use it to fuel various buildings. Secondly what will the refuse collectors be doing on the week there is no collections ?
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 12:53 AM@14 If you think the front line is your bin being emptied then god bless you. Not such an important matter on the grand scale of things just get used to it.
cakelady
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11:46 PMStevie. I am also old enough to remember putting waste on the fire and then going smokless. In those days any excess waste was left at the side of the bin, AND THE BINMEN TOOK IT ALL AWAY, , They collected the bin, carried it to the street, emptied it and then brought it back. THEY ACTUALLY DID THE JOB they were paid to do.
cakelady
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11:38 PMIt will all have to go into the same bin, blows a hole in the re-cycling nonsense doesn't it? I absolutely refuse to take my rubbish to the tip or anywhere else. I pay the council to do that. If Veolia have a long standing contract, how come it can suddenly be changes? If they can change this aspect, why can't they change other parts of it?
Sir Taxedalot
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11:26 PM#16 Comrade Dore will be flattered that you think Labour have a plot to lose. The reality is that they are completely, totally and utterly clueless. Their only modus operandi is spend, spend, spend. Having to make savings is an alien concept to these wretched spendaholics. You make a good point about the govt paying to keep weekly collections. Could there be some skullduggery afoot to further defraud the tax payer?
theloxleycountryclub
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 09:09 PMWe fill our blackbin every week. Nevertheless, we'll try harder to recycle by separating glass and plastics etc and using the local dumpits at supermarkets and such. Just one question. When is the present weekly refuse collection scheduled to change to fortnightly. Does anyone know?
Ivan Eddake
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 08:32 PMDoesn't matter folks 'cos comrade Julie isn't going to go back on her pledge to hire 10 more PCSO's. Now that's a real waste of money!
Blue-Stratos
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 07:41 PMThe cartoon caption sums the issue up for me. (More Rats) The Council have seriously made a real cock up on this issue, Yet another bin says Councillor Lodge, now that really is confusing. Especially when the bin man puts an orange label on it and tells you that youve put the wrong type of yogurt carton in your new bin and its going to be another fortnight before the whole bin is emptied. This Labour Council have lost the plot, the government stated they were willing to pay for the continued weekly collection service but Labour decide otherwise.
cakelady
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 06:46 PMIs anyone surprised? This is purely a political decision by a spiteful Labour council to score points over the Tory led government. Millions of pounds could be saved in many areas including getting rid of the non-jobs., consultancy fees cutting pay and perks of councillors on senior civil servantsetc. No need to touch front line services.
Iwanttruth
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 05:17 PMBut you all seem to be missing the point which is the council promised that when they make all the cuts in spending they would make sure that all the front line services would be protected and rubbish collections are a front line service so if they are cutting that then they have yet again broken a promise and what front line service are they going to cut next because I am sure they will cut more front line services.
Zap
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 04:32 PM@12 - that sounds a good idea - in fact for too sensible for the retailers to ever do it in the uk in a real way besides which they like to advertise their 'companies' and by excessive packaging they do it
doggtheveryspecialdeputy
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 03:52 PM@11 Well said and A to your Q. Alot less excessive packaging. In Germany you have to bag your shopping at the car and alot of people strip packaging down at the shop and use the shop bins. But they are lightyears ahead over here.
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