Bin bid moves a step closer (From Western Telegraph)

Bin bid moves a step closer

4:10pm Saturday 16th March 2013 in News

Fortnightly black bin bag collections in Pembrokeshire have moved a step forward.

Members of the county council’s environment overview and scrutiny committee endorsed a plan that would see black bin bags and glass collected every two weeks.

Last Thursday, committee members voted in favour “subject to approval of an appropriate implementation process”.

The move could reduce costs by an estimated £350,000 a year, as the council looks to save £8.6million over the next three years.

Food waste and orange bag waste, as well as trade collections for businesses and schools, would continue on a weekly basis.

Pembrokeshire is one of two local authorities in Wales not operating fortnightly black bag waste collections.

Benefits resulting from the proposal are said to include an additional 5% increase in overall recycling, as well as financial benefits from reductions in vehicles, staff and fuel.

Director of transportation, housing and environment, Ian Westley told the meeting: “I know it might not feel like it, but this is actually one of the easier decisions to make.”

Members were told that any change would take six months to implement and would not be a blanket approach, given the problems faced by residents without rubbish storage facilities.

Members expressed concerns over the effects on people living in flats, as well as those needing to dispose of nappies, incontinence pads and sanitary waste, and residents in areas without food waste collections.

Councillors agreed that any change needed to be managed effectively.

It was agreed the matter would be brought back to the committee.