This week Bedford Borough Council’s Executive voted to accept changes to the frequency of black bin collections.
The changes come following a seven week consultation in which a leaflet was sent to all households; the Borough Council received 1,928 responses from residents.
Subject to a seven day call in period, the decision means that commencing on Monday 31 October 2016 the collection system will operate on an alternate weekly basis – one week black bin collection and the following week orange and green lidded bin collections.
In addition, changes to the garden waste collection service will be commencing in December 2016. These changes mean there will be no garden waste collections from beginning of December to the end February each year; and as well as this, the option to use green sacks will be removed. However, residents currently using green sacks will be able to request a green bin for the disposal of their garden waste.
The changes come as Bedford Borough Council faces further government funding cuts which mean savings of over £23 million will need to be made from its annual budget by 2019. In addition, the £3 million government funding for weekly waste collections is expiring this year and not being replaced.
The changes to bin collections will save over £500,000 a year through a reduction in temporary staff required to support the service, as well as a reduction in the number of vehicles involved and savings in fuel and maintenance costs.
In addition the changes will bring environmental benefits, including encouraging residents to recycle more and reducing the amount of black bin waste sent to landfill as well as a reduction in traffic and emissions.
In light of these upcoming changes, and concerns from residents regarding a lack of bin capacity, the Borough Council is keen to remind residents of the ways in which they can recycle and reduce waste, thereby saving space in their black bin. Visit the Council’s Rubbish and Recycling page for details of what can be recycled in your orange bins; locations and opening times of recycling centres; and waste reduction tips.
To read a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Alternate Weekly Collection visit www.bedford.gov.uk/wasteconsultation
