Black Bin Collection Decision Deferred for Rutland Amid Public Outcry
In a recent development concerning waste management in Rutland, the County Council has deferred its decision regarding a controversial proposal to transition to a three-week black bin collection schedule. This decision comes in the wake of growing public dissent, highlighted by a petition spearheaded by Rutland MP Alicia Kearns that has garnered over 2,000 signatures opposing the change.
The County Council's consideration of the three-week collection schedule is part of a broader effort to save money while implementing a new food waste collection system set to begin in the upcoming Spring. As Councillor Christine Wise, the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment, and Communities, pointed out, the Council faces financial pressures and must explore savings to facilitate these changes. “Unless we receive additional funding from the Government, we will have to consider reducing the frequency of black bin collections,” Wise stated.
One of the primary arguments for moving to a three-week collection is to encourage residents to separate their food waste, as keeping the black bin's capacity the same may provide little incentive for proper waste segregation. Councillor Wise explained that many other local authorities have adopted similar measures to promote recycling. "If the capacity in the existing black bin stays the same, then there's no incentive to separate out food waste," she noted, referencing successful strategies from elsewhere.
Despite the evidence presented, earlier consultations indicated a strong preference among residents for smaller black bins rather than extending collection intervals. However, the implementation of smaller bins would incur significant costs, as each property in Rutland would require a new bin. This financial consideration has played a crucial role in the Council's decision-making process.
As the situation develops, the Council is taking a cautious approach, choosing to delay any final decisions until they can ascertain what additional funding, if any, will be provided by the Government. “At the moment, we've deferred that decision until we know what money we're getting from the Government,” Wise concluded.
