Croydon Council moves to fortnightly bin collections

1:50pm Thursday 2nd June 2011 in News Exclusive By Kirsty Whalley

EXCLUSIVE: Fortnightly bin collections for Croydon EXCLUSIVE: Fortnightly bin collections for Croydon

Croydon council is moving to a fortnightly bin collection service from October to save money on landfill tax.

It will now recycle food on a weekly basis and alternate weekly collections for cardboard, paper and textiles in one collection and the next week collect glass bottles, cans and plastics.

But refuse collections will only be made every two weeks.

The council says it will save £600,000 by moving to a fortnightly collection.

The move comes as the Government is expected to launch a £100k incentive scheme to get all local councils to revert to weekly collections. This has been prompted by complaints that reduced collections lead to a rise in fly tipping and concerns over vermin.

At a conference earlier this year, Local Government minister Eric Pickles said council cuts to bin collections is “an issue which fills middle England with rage“.

He told the New Local Government Network conference: “We need to remember that rubbish is the most visible, most frontline service of all, in return for paying £120 a month in council tax.

“If we don’t sort this out, we will set the cause of localism back by a generation, by creating an army of residents who view their council with resentment rather than respect.”

A council spokesman said: “By taking food waste out of the landfill bins and taking it away weekly there will be far less risk of smelly bins, flies and problems with vermin and foxes.

“The council is still offering weekly collections for food waste, which causes residents the most concern.

“Now that cooked and uncooked food will be collected separately for recycling - and residents have a recycling collection for all other recyclable materials – there will be very little left in the landfill bins.

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“Government advice is that local councils should offer the most appropriate and cost effective services for the local taxpayer.

“Continuing to collect the black refuse bin every week is not an efficient use of resources and does not offer value for money for Croydon residents.”

Residents in 126,000 households will be provided with their new food waste bins and a starter pack explaining how the system will work between September 19 and 30.

Most flats will receive their new food waste bin, a smaller ‘caddy’ bin for the kitchen and a supply of 100 free compostable liners. Larger blocks of flats or more will be included in the service before March 2012.

Tina Morris, secretary of the Grangewood and Whitehorse Residents Association, said: “My personal view is that as far as food waste goes, it is an unecessary requirement as if people are composting like they should be.

“Fortnightly collections will mean more rubbish around to attract foxes and rats in the vicinity. The collections seem to work well as they are.”

Councillor Phil Thomas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “This is a very positive move for Croydon, and studies of similar schemes around the country show that most families are very happy with the change and find it very easy to deal with.

“The crucial element here is that people will object if their bins are overflowing, or if they feel their bins become unhygienic.

"We’ve deliberately ensured neither of these things happen – food waste collections will keep bins clean, and weekly recycling collections will ensure landfill bins aren’t overflowing.”

What do you think? Tell us using the contact details below.

Comments(23)

Angela M says...
2:44pm Thu 2 Jun 11

We have this system in Epsom - it works. They even give out colour-coded calendars so you know what bins to put out each week.

If your family produces enough waste to completely fill a large wheelie bin every week, you should be cutting it down anyway. They collect your food waste separately (weekly!), so vermin and smelly bins are not an issue at all.

If you have children, it's in your family's interest to look after the planet. After all, it's your descendants who will have to deal with the long-term effects of your laziness.

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ANNE GILES says...
2:45pm Thu 2 Jun 11

The only answer is to eat out every night. No more cooking. We will never do composting, as we don't do gardening.

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MrsGee says...
3:10pm Thu 2 Jun 11

Good! The more we can recycle the better I think. And the only stuff getting smelly now is food, if this is collected weekly, there is not an issue I believe. If you do have a problem, try to recycle better.

Question tho...poor pigeons killed and brought in by my cat...can I throw them in the food bin?

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Charles Edwards says...
4:41pm Thu 2 Jun 11

Hooray! This is long overdue and one of those things that in a few years we'll look back on and say 'why all the fuss?' My bin is never full because I recycle properly. I could go three weeks without it being collected and I have children in nappies.
Good on Croydon Council, I never though for one minute a Tory authority would do this.

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Andrew Pelling says...
6:35pm Thu 2 Jun 11

This stinks. Cons opposed fortnightly collection in Sutton but its ok for Croydon. Nationally they made this an issue before the election but just 12 months later they go back on their word.There are many perishable items of a peronal nature that go in weekly collection.

Cut Cllrs' £ 6.6 million pay and the new luxury town hall not waste collection.

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Paul Phillipson says...
9:15pm Thu 2 Jun 11

Hmm, opposed to recycling now Andrew? Seems there is nothing you won't switch your stance on to further your own political career. Come on man, this is 2011 not the 14th century! We have to recycle, surely an issue of this importance to society should overide your own ambition. There is definitely a stink around here but I'm not sure its the recycling!

Oh, btw, what party do you belong to this week?

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Shasha Khan says...
8:55am Fri 3 Jun 11

Croydon Green Party welcome this initiative but it needs to be coupled with an awareness raising/information programme. When introduced, lots of people won't know what they should be doing with this new box. They need to know what to do and why they need to do it. Greens would like to see kerbside recycling extended to collect batteries, tetrapaks and those plastics which aren't presently collected: margerine tubs and yoghurt pots.

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WilliamFigges says...
9:14am Fri 3 Jun 11

I understand the need for recycling but in our household the recycling bins are full after one week. A switch to fortnightly collections would force us to recycle less!

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Angela M says...
10:05am Fri 3 Jun 11

WilliamFigges wrote:
I understand the need for recycling but in our household the recycling bins are full after one week. A switch to fortnightly collections would force us to recycle less!
What receptacles are currently provided? We have two large wheelie bins (normal waste and cardboard/plastic), a bag for white paper and a large box for paper and cans - as well as a food waste bin. Maybe the new scheme will be accompanied by larger bins and boxes? Ours was, but I can only speak for Epsom.

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Angela M says...
10:11am Fri 3 Jun 11

MrsGee wrote:
Good! The more we can recycle the better I think. And the only stuff getting smelly now is food, if this is collected weekly, there is not an issue I believe. If you do have a problem, try to recycle better.

Question tho...poor pigeons killed and brought in by my cat...can I throw them in the food bin?
Surely it's leftover cat food... I'd put them in a biodegradable food bag first though - so the bin collectors don't get a nasty fright! :D

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Andrew Pelling says...
11:54am Fri 3 Jun 11

Before the election the Cons. spent much money with a rap around advertisement warning that Labour, if elected, would introduce fortnightly collections. Now 12 months later they are doing the same.

No wonder people don't trust politicians.

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Andrew Pelling says...
12:14pm Fri 3 Jun 11

Paul Phillipson wrote:
Hmm, opposed to recycling now Andrew? Seems there is nothing you won't switch your stance on to further your own political career. Come on man, this is 2011 not the 14th century! We have to recycle, surely an issue of this importance to society should overide your own ambition. There is definitely a stink around here but I'm not sure its the recycling! Oh, btw, what party do you belong to this week?
I know Lomond Gardens well, the post code CR2 8EQ is just for Lomond Gardens. Did you move in very recently ? If so, welcome to Heathfield ward. I know Mr. Barwell used to live there. Didn't come across your name on the register in Lomond Gardens when I canvassed there recently; would have loved to take up this debate in person to see what we have in common on the isssue as I'm most definitely for re-cycling but not for cutting services while spinning that this is about being green. Send me an e-mail @ puttingcroydonfirst@
googlemail.com so we can meet up. Sad to see my good friends in the Greens not with the angels on this one. btw : Don't worry I'm not joining the Greens this week

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MrsGee says...
1:48pm Fri 3 Jun 11

Angela M wrote:
MrsGee wrote: Good! The more we can recycle the better I think. And the only stuff getting smelly now is food, if this is collected weekly, there is not an issue I believe. If you do have a problem, try to recycle better. Question tho...poor pigeons killed and brought in by my cat...can I throw them in the food bin?
Surely it's leftover cat food... I'd put them in a biodegradable food bag first though - so the bin collectors don't get a nasty fright! :D
Thanks Angela! :)))

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PeterM says...
6:48pm Fri 3 Jun 11

As one of the residents involved in the original trial scheme in Sutton I was very disappointed that the Council bowed to pressure and dropped the fortnightly collections.

If you follow a few basic rules you won't have a problem. For a family of four our bin was big enough, we even missed a collection once or twice and it didn't overflow or smell.

There were Tories in Sutton that wanted the fortnightly collections but party politics forced the Councillors to vote against the scheme. Ditto for the Lib-Dems that were against the scheme.

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Pugilist says...
6:59pm Fri 3 Jun 11

This new initiative is good news for Croydon residents. Each week either food waste, biodegradables or waste left for landfill will be picked up.
Since 2006 our recycling rates have increased from 16% under Labour to over 33% now. Surely it makes sense to recycle our food waste rather than pay a premium price in landfill charges of over £60 a ton.
Some suggest cutting Councillors' pay when in fact, changes have already been made to reduce Councillors' allowances making a saving of £59,000 this year, and it has been reported Croydon Council tax payers will not be paying for the new town centre hub. So doesnt it make sense to recycle as much as possible so we dont end up paying massive landfill charges which go up every year. So well done Croydon Council keep up the good work.

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kennyg says...
8:49pm Fri 3 Jun 11

I live in a block of private flats and I'm very unhappy with this whole idea of fortnightly collection. The residents here can't even put their rubbish in the bins provided never mind sort it. How on earth are we supposed to find space for banks of bins that are collected on different cycles. We'll have rubbish strewn everywhere - with dirty nappies and food waste blowing round the site for weeks on end. Thanks Croydon - I'll look forward to the smell, disgusting mess and the arguments. It's clear Croydon cares more about saving money - than residents wishes. At least offer an option of paying more for a weekly collection.

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ANNE GILES says...
10:17pm Fri 3 Jun 11

In Spain and Argentina rubbish was always collected every night.

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Pugilist says...
11:49pm Fri 3 Jun 11

kennyg, London says...
8:49pm Fri 3 Jun 11

I live in a block of private flats and I'm very unhappy with this whole idea of fortnightly collection. The residents here can't even put their rubbish in the bins provided never mind sort it. How on earth are we supposed to find space for banks of bins that are collected on different cycles. We'll have rubbish strewn everywhere - with dirty nappies and food waste blowing round the site for weeks on end. Thanks Croydon - I'll look forward to the smell, disgusting mess and the arguments. It's clear Croydon cares more about saving money - than residents wishes. At least offer an option of paying more for a weekly collection.

If you read the advertiser this Friday, blocks of flats are due for there food waste collection in March 2012. Special bins will be provided for food waste, so its that simple. One for food waste, one for recycling (as now) and one for general waste. Its no longer acceptable for all waste to go into one bin for landfill. We must protect our land and the consequences of methane for years to come.

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ArfurTowcrate says...
8:33am Sat 4 Jun 11

Mrs Towcrate and I recycle almost all of our stuff, with the only things going into the bin to landfill being the plastic bits and pieces that seem impossible to avoid and those few food items that shouldn't be home composted (unless you want to attract rats) - stuff like meat and fish bones.

This change to the bin collection service will mean we can recycle even more.

For us and everyone else, it will cut costs and benefit the environment.

It's a welcome change, worthy of support, even if Phil Thomas's unlovely mug is plastered all over the publicity.

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Andrew Pelling says...
7:51pm Sat 4 Jun 11

Great SE4 1UT to see that the precise details of our Coincillors' pay has reached SE4 in Lewisham. We have 70 Councillors down here 60 of whom are not in the Executive. £ 59 k is not much out of £ 1.65 m pa on Cllrs most of whom have little influeance on Croydon's affairs.

As for the idea that the new luxury town hall will be built for free do tell the people of Lewisham that that's a nonsense. If Croydon Council has discovered the way to build luxury homes for free perhaps they can re-house everyone in Lewisham for free too.

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Andrew Pelling says...
1:38pm Sun 5 Jun 11



Great SE4 1UT to see that the precise details of our Councillors' pay has reached SE4 in Lewisham. We have 70 Councillors down here 60 of whom are not in the Executive. £ 59 k is not much out of £ 1.65 m pa on Cllrs most of whom have little influence on Croydon's affairs.

As for the idea that the new luxury town hall will be built for free do tell the people of Lewisham that that's a nonsense. If Croydon Council has discovered the way to build luxury homes for free perhaps they can re-house everyone in Lewisham for free too.”

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Charles Edwards says...
11:14am Mon 6 Jun 11

So I make that only Andrew Pelling and Anne Giles against fortnightly collections. Does that tell us something???

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Andrew Pelling says...
2:18pm Fri 10 Jun 11

Paul Phillipson, CR2 8EQ, you have not e-mailed me back to meet up. I wonder whether Paul Phillipson, CR2 8EQ does not actually exist and that you are just someone rather close to Gavin Barwell who used to live @ CR2 8EQ.

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