Why are we making the changes?
Residents wanted to be able to recycle more materials
We have undertaken a great deal of research in recent years to establish how we can best provide a quality recycling and refuse collection service for residents, whilst also meeting very challenging recycling targets set by government. Not changing the service at all wasn’t really a realistic choice as the significant financial penalties imposed by government would ultimately be passed on to residents through their Council Tax bill.
As well as undertaking research into how much waste Walsall households produce, how much recyclable material isn’t recycled and so on, we also undertook an extensive public consultation exercise in 2007, followed by two residents workshops in spring and summer.
The feedback from residents was very clear. They would be willing to recycle more if we made it easier for them by giving them bigger containers and collecting a wider range of materials. When the new service is implemented, residents will start using their existing green bin for recyclable materials. The green bin has a capacity of 240 litres, compared to the green box currently in use which only has a capacity of 55 litres. You will be able to put all you paper, glass bottles and jars, food and drinks cans, cardboard and plastics into the green bin, there is no need to sort them out.
Government targets
The council has been set high recycling and landfill diversion targets by the government to protect the environment. These targets will get even higher over the next 12 years. If the council does not meet these targets the council will have to pay millions of pounds to the government in fines. This means that the part of the council tax you pay for your rubbish collection could double. We need you to help us recycle more so that your council tax bill does not increase.
Recycling your waste protects your environment
We want you to think differently about your rubbish, to start to see it as something useful rather than something that has reached the end of its life. Here is a list of the benefits from changing the waste collection service;
- No more lifting heavy boxes for residents or collection crews
- Using a wheeled bin instead of a box means less risk of recyclable materials being blown around on windy days, and paper products stay dry.
- More recycling
- Saves resources – recycling reduces demand on the world’s rapidly depleting natural resources.
- saves energy – recycling and re-use can reduce energy needs , meaning less fossil fuels are used and less pollution, helping to reduce climate change.
- Reduces your carbon foot print.
- Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill - burying waste in landfill sites produces harmful greenhouse gases and polluting liquids. Reducing the amount of waste buried reduces the amount of pollution produced.
- Protects the environment – less waste is dumped in landfill sites
- Provides employment – recycling initiatives can create new employment opportunities
- Every council has tough statutory recycling and landfill diversion targets. If they are not met councils face huge fines, which ultimately will be passed on to residents through their Council Tax bills.
Recycling your rubbish is one of the most environmentally friendly things that you can do in your home.
This page was last updated on 06 November 2009