We are continuing to trial a weekly kitchen waste collection scheme for approximately 4,500 properties across the borough. Levels of recycling have jumped significantly since the trial started in September 2007.
About a third of what goes into our dustbins is kitchen waste. By composting this food waste and recycling, residents are helping avoid increasing landfill tax. Recycling has never been a bigger challenge for any of us.
Details
Having closely studied similar trials from elsewhere to learn from others, we will be making changes to waste and recycling collections in the trial area this September. We are confident these changes will help improve recycling rates further.
Firstly, we will continue to collect food waste on a weekly basis from a rodent-proof bin. We will also continue to collect the black box paper recycling on a weekly basis.
Within the trial area only the existing ‘plastic bottles only’ rule will be suspended. From September, we will begin to collect all plastic containers from those households as part of our green box recycling scheme. Eligible items will include all types of washed plastic containers such as food trays, yoghurt pots, margarine and ice-cream containers, though not plastic film or bags, toys, polystyrene or electrical items please.
As smelly and potentially contentious food waste will be removed from non-recyclable refuse, and with the removal of bulky plastics, there will be much less refuse to collect. We will therefore begin to collect residents' non-recyclable waste every other week, in the same way we collect the green recycling box today.
These changes are scheduled to take place during the week beginning Monday 15 September 2008. Residents affected by these changes have been contacted. A booklet which summarises the waste and recycling collections in the trial area is available here.
Residents living in the trial area can request additional waste and recycling containers, including a disposable nappy/incontinence pad container, here.
We will have a dedicated team providing practical support during the trial and home visits can be arranged if participants need further support. If you have any questions, please go to our frequently asked questions page, or contact us using the details below.
Contacts
Telephone: 020 8313 4557
e-mail: csc@bromley.gov.uk
Address: Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH
Office hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm