Waste collection scheme to boost recycling levels

A NEW waste collection service aims to bring South Cambridgeshire's recycling rate to about 40 per cent, making it among the best in the country.

South Cambridgeshire District Council's Cabinet has agreed to change from black sack collection to a new scheme that will make it easier for people to recycle more household waste.

The green box scheme for dry recyclable goods will continue, but from September households will be given two bins – a green bin for wet recyclables and a black bin for all other waste.

The green bin is for garden and kitchen waste, while green boxes will continue to be used for paper and glass. Waste will still be collected weekly, with green bins and black bins collected on alternate weeks.

News Opinion

Recycling triumph

SOUTH Cambridgeshire District Council's latest waste collection scheme is yet another step in the right direction.

The council has already introduced doorstep collections of paper and glass, and recently offered residents free composting bins.

It is setting an example that others should follow.
South Cambridgeshire District Council was awarded £1.88 million from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which will help towards implementation of the scheme. The EU requires that less recyclable and biodegradable waste is landfilled.

Coun Colin Barker, environmental health portfolio holder, said: "This will allow us to meet our long-term recycling targets by collecting garden, kitchen and cardboard waste. We are also looking at the options for recycling Yellow Pages."

The Waste Management Advisory Group discussed details of the service on February 11. The results of these discussions by the Waste Management Advisory Group will be heard at Cabinet on February 24.

The council is consulting members of the public through focus groups. A series of roadshows have been planned and a dedicated hotline will be in operation from the summer.