Recycling collections to change to protect vital services

 

Changes are being made to blue and black bin recycling collections across Tameside to help protect limited funds for vital services.

The main changes, which are due to come into effect from 31 January 2022, involve moving black bin (glass, plastic bottles and cans) and blue (paper and cardboard) bin recycling collections from every two weeks to every three weeks, in line with many other areas of Greater Manchester. Green (non recycling) bin and brown (food and garden waste) bin collections will remain the same.

The policy change also involves introducing a charge for replacement bins.

Tameside Council’s Executive Cabinet decided to make the changes following a successful pilot in three trial areas in the borough and after reviewing feedback from extensive consultations both with households within the pilot and the wider public.

Continuing pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, increased demand for services and government cuts of almost £200 million over the last 10 years, mean the council is faced with having to make savings of another £23 million this financial year to balance the budget for 2021-22.

It is estimated that by introducing a charge of £26.50 per bin for replacement/additional recycling bins, it will generate/save £190k a year, while reverting back to collections every three weeks (as they were several years ago) rather than two for blue and black recycling bins, it is estimated the service can save £370k a year. Both these strategies will help safeguard vital services such as supporting vulnerable children and adults.

Tameside Council Executive Member Cllr Allison Gwynne said: “We, like every other council in the country, are under enormous pressure to make financial savings while also delivering services that are valued the most by residents and in particular supporting and protecting vulnerable children and adults. Doing nothing to make efficiencies is not an option.

“The changes we’ve agreed have been shown to work very well operationally in the pilot areas – with no negative impact on collections - but we have also listened to residents’ feedback and included provision for extra bin capacity for larger households and a fee waiver for new bins in certain circumstances.

“The approach of reducing collection frequency of recycling bins to provide the efficient use of resources brings Tameside in line with numerous other Greater Manchester authorities, where again it has proven to work well.

“Ultimately, the changes will make a huge difference in saving limited funds and this is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and positively help shape a sustainable and effective service for the future.”

The council will be writing to all households to notify them of the changes in the coming weeks and it will provide new bin collection calendars to make it easy for households to follow the new collection frequency regime.

 

Frequently Asked Questions  

What is changing?
The collection frequency of the blue and black bins from 2 weekly to 3 weekly, and charging for replacement bins. There is help for large families who need extra bin space or households that can’t afford a replacement bin. See below.
 
What is not changing?
Frequency of the green (non-recyclable waste) and brown (food and garden waste) bins, free compostable caddy liners, the pull out and return service for people with disabilities, access to the Household Waste Recycling Centre (the tip) and support for large families and those with medical or clinical waste are all not changing.
 
Where will this take place?
This is a Borough wide change across all of Tameside.
 
When is this change taking place?
This change will take place from Monday 31 January 2022 – you will receive a collection calendar and notification of this change prior to that date.
 
Why are we making this change?
Tameside Council has to make further savings and carefully consider every pound we spend. This change will help us find long term solutions to saving public funds so we can continue to deliver services in an ever more challenging economic climate. With resources reducing year on year the council has to prioritise services for the most vulnerable. Changes like this help to do that.
 
How much money will the Council Save under this scheme?
By making small changes such as the frequency charge collection described above, the service can save in the region of £396,000, per full year it is in place.
 
Can I have additional recycling bins – black or blue bin?
Yes. You can order additional black or blue bins online at www.tameside.gov.uk/refuseandrecycling or by contacting us using the details at the top of this letter. Please be aware that from the 31 January 2022 ALL bins that are ordered will have to be paid for. There is help for people on low incomes. See below.
 
Can I leave out extra recycling?
As long at the material you are leaving out is clearly identifiable as recyclable material the crews will collect it. We won’t collect additional general waste or waste we cannot identify as recyclable material.
 
Why are we charging for bins?
We spend £241k per year delivery bins, then pay more to bring back in the bins that are abused or abandoned. We have been delivering bins since 1988 and are delivering around 15,000 per annum. This needs to stop and we need to address the huge and unjustifiable demand for bins.
 
What if I cannot afford a new or replacement bin?
The fee for a new or replacement bin can be waived in certain circumstances, those circumstances are in the Waste Strategy and Enforcement Policy and are as follows:
 
There will be situations where the charge for a new or replacement bin can be waived, including for example:
 

• The crew whilst collecting waste has damaged a bin.
• A bin has fallen into the vehicle and the crew has confirmed this.
• When a bin has been vandalised/damaged/failed and is beyond use.
• Meeting the conditions of the Exceptional Circumstances Policy, where service users meet the requirements for a second green bin.
• An individual named as the occupant/householder, who qualifies for means tested benefits and can evidence that position.
• Justification by a Supervisor or member of the Waste management team.

 
What if I have a large family and cannot cope with this change?
 
Where residents feel that they do not have sufficient general waste capacity they can make an application for additional capacity this will include keeping a waste diary to record all waste disposed of from the property in a two week period. The Council will assess the application and determine if additional General waste capacity is required. This may result in a Recycling Officer carrying out a visit to the property. The following link provide more detail: https://www.tameside.gov.uk/bins/exceptionalcircumstances​