
If there’s one topic that brings Brits together in anger like nothing else, it’s the ‘bins’. So we think Bristol City Council have made a brave decision to ask for the views of Bristol residents on the matter. Over the next six weeks, it’s after locals’ opinions “on how the council manages the city’s waste and delivers services in the future.”
According to the Council, the amount of household waste Bristol recycles has more than tripled over the last 20 years. Still, only over 45% of our waste is collected as recycling – well below the national target of achieving 65% recycling by 2035. Essentially, we need to be recycling more, but how?
Many recyclable materials are being lobbed into our black bins – including food waste, paper and card, glass, plastic, cans, textiles and small electricals – with the Council claiming that up to half could be recycled. That’s why it’s after your opinions on how to encourage easier and more efficient recycling – including this controversial move.
Its first consideration is to change the frequency of how often our black bins are collected, going from every two weeks to three or four weeks (recycling will remain weekly). This will increase recycling, reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, and “could stop between 7,000 and 10,000 tonnes of waste going to landfill or the incinerator.”
Bristol City Council cites successful examples in Salford and Rhondda Cynon Taf but would become the first UK city to try such a scheme. Other ideas include increasing the use of recycling sacks and introducing recycling bins for each household, as well as investing in more collection vehicles.
So far on social media sites like Reddit, people have warned that such a policy could backfire. They predict an increase in fly-tipping, rubbish in the streets, bad summer smells, and rat infestation, among other worries. While others bemoan an already poor service that this will do nothing to fix.
To have your say, however, it’s best to speak up before midnight on Monday, March 10 on the Waste and Recycling Collection Consultation here.