Changes to household waste and recycling collections in Herefordshire have been delayed until the summer of 2024, according to the Herefordshire Council website.
The changes had initially been detailed as coming into place in the final months of 2023, but an update on the Herefordshire Council website now states the following:
“A new rubbish and recycling collection service will be introduced across Herefordshire from the summer of 2024.
“This follows decisions made by Herefordshire Council cabinet members on Thursday 25 November 2021 and Thursday 21 July 2022.
“Following an extension and variation to our waste disposal contract, the way in which your waste and recycling is handled after collection will also change.
“The new arrangements include a weekly food waste collection service and a fortnightly, seasonal garden waste collection service.
“Currently, 15 per cent of the contents of the residual waste (black bins/bags) could have been recycled at the kerbside (green bin or clear sacks). 38 per cent of the contents was food waste which will be collected on a weekly basis under the new service.
“The new arrangements support our strategic priorities around sustainability and protecting and enhancing the environment.
“As part of the Integrated waste management strategy for Herefordshire, we have set targets to:
“Reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030
“Reduce individual household waste to less than 330kg a year by 2035
“Increase the county’s reuse and recycling rates from today’s 40 per cent to 65 per cent by 2035
“Send just one per cent of waste to landfill by 2025 and zero waste to landfill by 2035
“Our plans are also designed to support the Environment Act 2021, specifically its ambitions to tackle waste and increase recycling. The government has set out new targets, including increasing reuse and recycling from 55 per cent in 2025 to 65 per cent in 2035.
“There will be more emphasis on treating waste as a resource to help support a circular economy. This change would cut down the use of raw materials and reduce carbon emissions produced by manufacturing processes and transportation of goods.
“Having declared a climate and ecological emergency, the council decided that a good way to support this was to further involve people in waste management processes.
“The aim of having different types of waste sorted at home is to drastically improve the rate of recycling and help ensure that no waste at all goes to landfill by 2035.”
Waste collections: Week 1 paper and card. Market – new paper products; Week 2 plastics, cans and glass. Plastics etc – new products; Week 3 general waste. General waste creates electricity; Weekly general food collection (anaerobic digestion); Fortnightly seasonal gardening (composting).
In the new bin collection service you’ll have a:
Green 240-litre recycling bin
Metals (tins and cans), plastics (pots, tubs, trays and bottles) and glass (jars and bottles) will be collected separately from other recyclables once every three weeks. These recyclables need to be clean and dry.
Metals will continue to be recycled for new bike and car parts, construction beams as well as new cans. Plastic waste will be turned into products like backpacks and sleeping bags.
240-litre bin
Paper and cardboard will be collected separately from other recyclables, in a new bin, every three weeks. The paper and card can be taken off to be pulped and turned into similar, recycled paper products.
One benefit of source separating material is that it increases the quality of recycling. For example, keeping your paper separate from your food containers means that it’s less likely to become contaminated with leftover food or glass shards. The paper can then be sent direct to a re-processor for recycling, cutting out the additional sorting.
23-litre food waste caddy
Every household will be provided with a food caddy and liners. These lidded, lockable containers are convenient to use and light enough to carry outside for the new weekly collections. As part of working towards a circular economy, food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digester where it will be turned into sustainable electricity and bio fertilizer.
Black 180 litre bin
Anything that can’t go into food waste or recycling will be placed in black bin or sacks. This will be collected once every three weeks.
Garden waste 240 litre bin
We will offer a fortnightly, seasonal collection for leaves, grass and other garden cuttings to all homes in Herefordshire. This will be taken away to produce garden compost. A decision will be made at a later date on whether there is a charge for this service.
Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) will continue to be available for Herefordshire’s residents to use for items that are currently not collected or recycled at kerbside or for any extra waste you may have. A booking system is in place at the sites. These sites are for Herefordshire residents’ own household waste and are not available to businesses.
What’s next?
Ensuring the new collection service is designed to meet all situations
We understand that we need to give special consideration for properties unsuitable for bins, flats, larger families, families using disposable nappies, those with medical needs, shared and communal accommodation. We will also be working with landlords, residents’ groups and housing associations.
More Details – https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/future-waste-collections
