Wheelie Bins Roll-Out Slammed By Local Councillor

Cllr John Todd says wheelie bin scheme is being 'imposed'

Local councillor John Todd has criticised Hounslow Council for extending the wheelie bin collection across the borough, saying research indicates that it does not improve recycling.

Around 35,000 more households in the borough will soon be receiving wheelie bin rubbish collections following a decision by Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Amrit Mann, to extend the service to remaining, eligible homes across Hounslow.

The rollout, which has already seen 27,000 homes, including Chiswick, receive a wheelie bin collection service, will continue in November and is expected to be completed by March 2016. The scheme is costing £850,000 but the Council says it will save £500,000 in recycling.

The decision to extend the service, which is subject to a seven-day ‘call in’ by councillors, follows "positive comments from residents already using wheelie bins", according to Hounslow Council.

However the wheeled bins remain unpopular in Chiswick and residents in Bedford Park are also campaigning against the decision by Ealing Council to introduce them.

Councillor Todd said that Hounslow Council do not listen but "impose" the bins on people. He said recycling rates had actually fallen during the past year since the introduction of wheeled bins, from 37.4% at the start of 2014/2015 to 35% in the last quarter of the year. This was below the Council's target of 38% and well short of the EU target for 50% of waste to be recycled by 2020.

"Of the £850,000 cost of the bins, £250,000 is going to the contractor SITA. Each SITA lorry costs £25,000 to convert to lift these wheelie bins yet on the Glebe estate where wheelie bins have been forcibly opposed the bins remain in situ and the collectors simply lift out the bags.

"Our borough has the worst recycling rates in west London according to figures from the West London Waste Authority, lagging well behind Richmond. We need to educate people and enforcement be taken against residents who fail to recycle ".

The Council quotes comments from residents to prove that wheelie bins are now popular.

“Despite some concerns when their introduction was announced, I must say that in practice the wheelie bins are a vast improvement over the old system - both in storing rubbish and keeping the streets clear of bags ripped open by foxes etc. I would be very disappointed if they were withdrawn.”

“Since the introduction of wheelie bins there has been less vermin (rats and foxes) Roads and pavements are cleaner. All households should be given these wheelie bins.”

Residents whose property can accommodate a wheelie bin will be written to with details of the new collection arrangements. Residents living in properties which are unsuitable for a wheelie bin will also receive a letter confirming their waste collection remains unchanged. Residents will be able to appeal if they believe they have been incorrectly assessed.

Councillor Mann said: “During both the pilot and subsequent rollouts across the borough we have listened to the views of residents and have adapted the service to respond to local circumstances. This includes assessing individual properties rather than allocating bins to entire roads.

“We’ve already seen a massive improvement in street cleanliness in areas where the wheelie bin collection service has been introduced. We expect residents to notice an immediate change as the scheme is rolled-out to their street.

“As with previous rollouts, we will be doing a lot of work with residents so they know how to effectively use the new service and what is expected from them. We will also revisit households already using wheelie bins.

“As well as helping the environment, recycling is far cheaper than sending waste to landfill. Every tonne of rubbish sent to landfill costs £120 per tonne. Recycling the same costs just £20. Recycling more is one way you can help the council save money that could be better spent on other council services.”

August 6, 2015