Councils tackle waste

Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster councils are working together to produce a South Yorkshire Waste Strategy to deal with challenges they face over the next five years.

This strategy will look at the long term plans of managing waste and the ways that services and resources can be used more effectively across the region. Now all four councils want to hear from their local residents and businesses to help them decide on their priorities and how they will go about achieving them.

A spokesman for Sheffield Council said: “Waste is a huge environmental challenge. South Yorkshire generates half a million tonnes of recycling, composting and non-recyclable household waste each year. Every year, South Yorkshire councils collect nearly 15 million black and grey bins from more than 565,000 households. Much of this waste could be prevented, re-used, recycled or composted. What we throw away could be an actual resource to help grow our economy and protect and improve the environment.”

This new joint venture will not affect day-to-day details around household bin collections, as these services will continue to be planned at a local level.

A major consultation on the subject is now running from June 6 to July 31. Visit www.bdronline.co.uk/haveyoursay and complete a short questionnaire to take part. If you need a paper version, call 01709 765350. The results will then be analysed and incorporated into a new South Yorkshire Waste Strategy, which all councils are hoping to launch later this year.

The council spokesman added: “As a frontline service, recycling and waste services actively contribute to healthy communities and achieving a cleaner and greener environment, now and in the future. The South Yorkshire Waste Strategy consultation is your opportunity to have your say and tell us what is important to you, so please do take part in the survey.”