Plans to switch from recycling boxes to bins in York move forward
Proposed changes aim to simplify waste collection
Timescales for proposals to ditch recycling boxes for wheelie bins in York have been set out along with more details about the scheme.
The rollout of two 180L bins to up to 63,000 households would take an estimated nine to 12 months subject to it being approved, according to City of York Council officials.
Council environmental services lead Ian Hoult said about 10,000 more homes including those in terraced streets with limited storage space would be looked at in the coming years.
Cllr Jenny Kent, the council’s Labour environment spokesperson, said the changes would give people more capacity to recycle ahead of councils collecting more types of waste.
It comes as proposals to move ahead with the rollout, which is set to cost an estimated £2.8 million, are set to go before the council’s executive today (Wednesday, September 9.)
The changes would see households given two bins, one for paper and card and another for glass, tins and plastic.
Each of them would be collected once every four weeks in a two-week alternating cycle.
The cycle would see general waste collected in the first and third weeks, with paper and card taken away in the second and all other recycling in the fourth.
Bins with a capacity of 180L will be given to eligible residents as standard, with larger 240L bins potentially available to larger households on request in the future.
Special requests for smaller 140L bins would also be considered if a resident is able to reasonably justify the request.
Council officials have said the changes would make collections more efficient, recycling easier for the elderly and disabled, reduce the risk of staff injuries and stop litter blowing off boxes.
The proposals come as the council looks to save £520,000 from its waste collection services over the next two years.
They also come ahead of requirements for soft plastics to be collected from kerbsides by March next year.
But concerns have previously been raised about changes to the frequency of collections and how they could affect people such as those in terraced houses who lack storage space.
Council head of environmental services Mr Hoult said the York rollout would happen at the same time as others around the country.
He added it would influence how soon bins could be delivered to York homes due to demand for making new bins.
The official also said the changes could see larger side items such as cardboard packaging collected from the kerbside without people having to break it up themselves.
He added the council was committed to rolling out bins to as many of the extra 10,000 households set for further work on bin arrangements by 2030 as possible.
Cllr Kent said recycling was already good in York and the changes would help people to dispose of more waste once national changes come into effect.
She added the council recognised there were challenges in some parts of York.
Cllr Kent said: “We live in a heritage city and with a lot of terraced houses where it’s more difficult to store bins, we’ll be doing further consultation with them.
“Once all the food trays, tetrapacks, and soft film will go straight from homes to the tips we’ll need to provide extra space for people for people to recycle.
“People are already struggling with their boxes, some households have up to six of them that they have to move around for collections, so this will be very welcome.”