New waste and recycling collection arrangements update

Thursday, 4 June 2009

Calderdale Councillors met with senior staff from SITA UK to discuss Calderdale’s new waste and recycling collection arrangements.
Members of the Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel heard "how introduction of such an ambitious change, from weekly black sack collections to comprehensive recycling services, had a difficult start." They also looked at detailed reports showing improvements are being made day by day.

Members of the Panel questioned SITA UK about missed collections, problems with collection points and with the delivery of recycling containers.

Complaints to the Council have dropped significantly, but SITA acknowledged there were still improvements to be made.

Councillor Howard Blagbrough, who chaired the meeting, said
“It would be unrealistic to expect such a huge change to be implemented without teething problems. When we talk about ‘missed collections’ we’re actually talking about significant inconvenience to local people.”

Members complimented staff working in the Council’s Contact Centre who had been dealing with customer queries and complaints, and also the collection crews, who have been working extended hours to clear backlogs.

In 2007/8 people in Calderdale recycled around 25% of their household waste. It is hoped the new arrangements will help residents recycle much more, minimising the amount of waste that goes to landfill.

Councillor Blagbrough added, “We are most grateful to residents, who are making such determined efforts to recycle their waste. We must thank them for their patience, and congratulate their efforts.”

The Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel will be monitoring the new collection arrangements closely, and will consider a further report in September.

See also: Hebweb Forum thread - Refuse/recycle collections