TURKEY trimmings and garden waste will be recycled in the new year after all – a month earlier than planned.
Green bin collections were suspended by Rugby Borough Council (RBC) at the beginning of December so every household could have a black bin collection over the Christmas period, and to allow the council to change collection timetables to make them more efficient.
But thanks to an agreement between Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council (WCC), all households will have their green bin collected in the weeks beginning January 23 or 30.
Green bin collections will then restart immediately after the timetable changes are finalised.
The agreement follows discussions at the borough council’s cross-party Waste Management Services working group, and will see WCC provide a grant of £25,000 to fund some of the changes, giving RBC enough money to restart green bin collections earlier.
RBC environment spokeswoman and chair of the working group Coun Lisa Parker said: “I would like to thank WCC’s representatives for their contribution to the working party, and in particular for recognising the long-term benefits of remodelling our waste collection rounds during the suspension period.
“This agreement demonstrates that the working party is able to make a real difference to services that affect residents, and I would urge all councillors to support its work.”
But RBC Liberal Democrat Group leader Coun Jerry Roodhouse called for Coun Parker’s resignation for “the waste of money and confusion caused by this matter”.
RBC Labour Group leader Coun Claire Edwards said it was great news for residents.
She said: “People were rightly angered by a very poor decision by the Conservatives and their voice has been heard and common sense has, thankfully, prevailed.
“This should be a lesson to the Tories; they can’t make unilateral decisions – residents in Rugby are too shrewd and they won’t stand for it.
“People are also incredibly angry about further Tory proposals to start charging for green bin collections next year. Labour has listened to local people and we will also be fighting this proposal – which amounts to little more than a garden tax.”
WCC environment spokesman Coun Jeff Clarke added: “Encouraging residents to put their food waste in their green wheeled bin instead of their dustbin has been generating huge savings in disposal costs since it was introduced and there is the potential to save another £1 million a year across Warwickshire.”
RBC will deliver new waste collection calendars to residents in the week beginning January 9. The working group will make recommendations on future changes to waste management services – including the possibility of charging for garden waste collections – in time for all councillors to consider when setting the budget for the next financial year.
Food waste and garden waste should be placed in the green bin until collections restart, or garden waste can be composted or taken to one of the Warwickshire County Council-run tips. Black bins containing garden waste will not be emptied.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/recycling for more information.
