It was the political decision of the year that will affect households across parts of our region: reducing black bin collections to once every three weeks instead of fortnightly.
From this May, South Gloucestershire Council will introduce the controversial move, while North Somerset Council has already followed suit. Bristol households will continue with fortnightly collections for now after the city council’s environment committee voted against the same reduction on December 18 after a public backlash.
South Gloucestershire Council says the change is needed to cut carbon emissions, save cash and encourage more recycling.
Opposition Conservatives criticised the decision, warning that the switch to three-weekly collections could leave residents short of space in their bins, especially those in large households, and have an adverse impact on disabled people.
But council chiefs said: “Most of what currently ends up in people’s black bins could have been recycled.”
They said more than three-quarters of the waste could be recycled. The council said: “We will also reintroduce large reusable bags for recycling plastic containers, cans and foil. This will make it easier for you to recycle more.”
It said concerns that reducing black bin collections could lead to more fly-tipping was not supported by the evidence.
The authority said: “This has not been seen in other council areas where it has already been introduced.”
Recycling and food waste collections will continue to be picked up from the kerbside every week, while there will be a free fortnightly subscription for nappies and other absorbent hygiene products, and soft plastic recycling will be rolled out to all properties..
The changes are part of a new £120 million, eight-year contract with the council’s existing waste management provider, Suez. North Somerset Council introduced the changes earlier this year in the hope of improving its 55% recycling rate.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter