Pilot scheme to reverse falling recycling rates
BBCBlack bin waste will be collected once a fortnight instead of weekly in a pilot scheme aimed at reversing falling recycling rates in an Essex borough.
Brentwood Council said it would choose an area or ward to test the scheme before potentially reducing black bin collections from every week to once every two weeks across the whole borough.
It comes after Brentwood was found to have some of the worst recycling rates within the 12 Essex districts – falling from 49% to 37% between 2015 and 2024. Meanwhile, the council said it had seen an increase in black bin waste.
The decision was heard at a meeting on Monday night.
Council leader and Liberal Democrat Barry Aspinall promised in February last year to keep weekly black bin collections - he says that now a change is needed to encourage more recycling.
"We are now talking a year on, and we have taken note of what's going on," Aspinall said.
He said the pilot scheme could help give the council the information it required to make a judgement on how to move forward.
"What we do know is recycling rates are falling, and we have to do something about that," he added.
The council has estimated that recycling would be improved if people had limited space to dispose of black bag waste in a wheelie bin.
Vice chairman of the Clean and Green Committee and Liberal Democrat, David Worsfold, added: "Do we really want Brentwood to be seen to be one of the worst areas in the country for recycling?
"My answer to that is no, we don't. So, how can we do better?
"This is a proposal to go forward with a trial, in which we need to see the shape and the detail that will make us better and will lift us up that league table."
Brentwood recycles paper and cardboard in a blue sack and plastic bottles in white sacks placed on the curbside every two weeks.
Black bag waste is also collected weekly from the curbside.
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