Same day collection success

One month after its introduction, the council’s same-day refuse and recycling collection scheme has proved a huge success.

"I think rubbish and recycling being collected on the same day is an excellent idea and hopefully will keep our streets looking tidier, as bags will only be present on the pavements on one morning a week in any given area ," says Maryrose Greenham.

And local resident Martin Monk says "Congratulations to all the people who have worked so hard to get the new refuse collection schedule working this week. Faced with a day of thick snow and then icy pavements, our collection still went ahead on Wednesday - as planned. Thank you everyone concerned. "

The scheme was introduced to make refuse and recycling collections easier for residents and as a more effective way of keeping the borough’s streets clean.

Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for crime and street scene said: “The first month of our new same day refuse collection scheme has been a great success and I’d like to thank residents for their help and understanding in what has been a new experience for us all.

“I realise that there have been a few teething problems in small pockets of the borough but, with the continued support of residents, I am sure that the new scheme will be an unparalleled success. Almost all of the residents that I have spoken to have been delighted with the new way of working, especially those with front yards who no longer have to put their recycling sacks on the pavement.”

In the meantime, residents are being reminded to do four things that will help the new operation run smoothly. They are:

• Put your rubbish and recycling out at the right time (after 9.00pm on the day before their collection or before 6.00am on their collection day)

• Use heavy-duty black refuse sacks, not carrier bags that easily break and spill onto the street

• Put securely tied sacks or dustbins out for collection at the front of their garden or path.

• Store rubbish securely between collections to prevent foxes and vermin ripping bags.

Residents are also being reminded that the council is to replace the current garden waste collection scheme with home composting.

The council is offering residents up to 3,000 220 litre compost bins (one per household), with free delivery to your home. This follows a recent consultation where the majority of residents told the council that they wanted garden waste collections to be stopped entirely.

Compost bins and bulky waste collections can be ordered by phoning the cleaner, greener helpline on 020 8753 1100.