Waltham Forest Bin Collection Change

Concern has been raised over changes to bin collections aimed at increasing recycling across the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

 

Black residual waste bins will be collected fortnightly instead of weekly, and food waste bins will be introduced across the borough, according to minutes from an October council cabinet meeting.

 

The change will cost the council over £1.6 million as a one-off spend, with an ongoing annual cost of £937,617.

 

This recycling strategy forms part of the council’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to increase the recycling rate to 50 per cent by 2030.

 

Cllr Clyde Loakes, Cabinet Member for Environment and Air Quality said: “We do not have the time or the luxury to delay this work. Separate food waste collections have been proven to improve recycling rates and reduce emissions across London and the UK.”

 

Concerns have been raised by residents about the reduced black bin collection schedule.

 

Margaret Schoer, 80, from Leytonstone said: “If rubbish piles up in the black bin, people will just stick it in the green recycling bin and contaminate it.”

 

The council’s website says that if contaminated recycling material gets into the recycling van, the van’s entire contents could be deemed unsuitable for recycling when it reaches the processing plant.

 

Cllr Loakes was asked about the risk of foxes or rats getting into food waste bins but did not offer a response to that question.