Plans to implement three-weekly bin collections have sparked outrage in Newbury, West Berkshire, with hundreds calling on the council to backtrack. The Liberal Democrat-run local authority currently collects black bins every fortnight, but is planning a switch to three-weekly collections following a consultation with residents. However, critics of the scheme, including petition organiser Niki Marshall, have suggested the consultation was “fundamentally flawed”, alleging that locals weren’t made sufficiently aware of the change.
“Many residents are concerned about the potential for increased waste accumulation, increased pests and the general impact on community hygiene,” she said. “Such worries are particularly prevalent among households with young children, elderly mothers or individuals with medical conditions that require the disposal of specific waste types more regularly.”
West Berkshire Council’s new waste strategy says the three-week schedule will save £150,000 a year and boost recycling among residents.
The change was confirmed in April, although a timeline for implementation has not been released. Campaigners like Ms Marshall are hoping that the pause will give councillors space to reconsider, and take into account the petition, which has 460 signatures.
“For the wellbeing, sanitation and satisfaction of Newbury residents, this policy needs a thorough review,” the campaign leader said.
Lib Dem councillor Stuart Gourley said 43% of waste that goes into black bins could be recycled, but admitted that the authority should listen carefully to feedback.
“Waste services is one of the most visible [services] we provide for the residents,” he told the BBC.
“It is used by 168,000 of us in West Berkshire but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look to improve our services.
“How and what we dispose of is also a key component in our push to improve our lived environment to reduce waste and increase recycling.”
It comes after research found that one in ten local councils across Britain was considering reducing bin services in some form. Around 42 authorities were looking at whether to educe the frequency of one or more kinds of bin collection, the Taxpayers’ Alliance revealed in April.
Bristol Council sparked major backlash when it announced a consultation into monthly bin collections earlier this year, and other councils including Carmarthenshire and East Ayrshire were said to be considering similar measures.
