Why collect food waste?
In 2003, the Somerset Waste Partnership commissioned a ‘waste analysis’ – finding out what people put out for refuse collection. Kitchen food waste made up the largest fraction - a massive 28% of all refuse. In order to recycle as much as possible and to direct biodegradable waste away from landfill, it makes good sense to target this plentiful material – hence the new food waste collection service. Why wheeled bins?
Wheeled bins are now a common and modern method of collecting refuse, and have been introduced in many parts of England, including Mendip, South Somerset and Taunton Deane.
The benefits of wheeled bins include the reduction of injuries to waste collection operatives, as well as litter reduction, as the containers will stop cats, foxes etc, from ripping the bags open. Wheeled bins - what about flats & the elderly?
The SWP will take a sensible approach to the introduction of wheeled bins, and will not provide them to households that are unsuitable (such as flats, and certain terraced properties that cannot accommodate them, houses with excessively steep or stepped access). As with all the existing refuse and kerbside recycling schemes, there will be an assisted collection service for the elderly and disabled.
Why collect refuse fortnightly and recycling weekly?
To meet the recycling targets we need to change the emphasis on waste – and make recycling the priority – hence the change. With the additional recycling services, there should be much less refuse to collect, and the weekly food waste collection will ensure that the remaining waste will not smell.
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