Recycling rates shoot up but scheme still divides residents

ONE year ago Vale Royal Borough Council started its controversial waste recycling scheme, which saw the launch of a twice-weekly collection.

Despite hiccups at the start of the scheme, officers at Vale Royal have been celebrating because in that year 40 per cent of household waste was sent for recycling as opposed to 15 per cent the year before.

More than 20,000 tonnes of recyclables were collected in the first 12 months.

This included 500 tonnes of cans, 11,000 tonnes of garden waste, 4,500 tonnes of paper, 140 tonnes of textiles, 2,700 tonnes of glass and 1,600 tonnes from recycling banks.

John Jeffrey, director of the environment and sustainability at the council, said: "Everyone has played their part in the success.

"There are almost 300 people involved in this."

He said: "The residents made it quite clear that they were prepared to support Vale Royal in this initiative. The new scheme supplied residents' aspirations. For the first time they had to take responsibility for their actions."

Steve Bakewell, head of environmental operations, said: "Forty per cent is way above what we expected. This must make us one of the top 10 in the country. This is just the start. We have a long way to go."

The scheme was launched with alternate weekly three stream collections for dry recyclates, green waste and residual waste in all the district's 53,000 households.

But there were problems from the start with residents complaining that while recycling was a laudable activity, the premise that a normal family could fit two weeks' worth of non-recyclable domestic waste into one green bin was obviously flawed.

Many said they had to queue at the tip to get rid of their waste and there were fears over rats and smells from rotting waste.

Many residents complained about there being no collections at all.

Steve Bakewell, head of environmental operations, said: "If rubbish is being left around then people should contact us.

"We want to know where the problems are."

John Jeffery said: "We do recognise we do have some difficulties but when you realise 80 per cent of people are participating, why do the 20 per cent have problems?"

W innington couple Debbie Munro and her partner John Hassall, of Solvay Road, believe the scheme has definitely not been a success.

Debbie has recently moved to the area from Middlewich and says they have had to take everything to the tip.

She said: "We are having a few problems because there must be around 35 bags in an alleyway at the back of our house, which have been there for two weeks.

"It is absolutely disgusting. There are animals going in and it absolutely stinks. It is going to be so much worse in the summer."

John said: "I don't think this scheme has worked at all. To be honest, in the past 12 months when I knew I was gong to be away I would put the rubbish out before I went. Then I was told if I left it out early I would be fly tipping."

Participation rates have averaged out at 70 per cent with a high of 80 per cent and a low of 30 per cent.

In a questionnaire produced as part of a summer recycling newsletter there were 3,905 responses, which showed 69 per cent were satisfied with the new scheme; 80 per cent were happy with the reliability of collections; 75 per cent now recycle more and 36 per cent of residents are dissatisfied with the alternate week collection.

Former Manchester City legend Francis Lee, who is a director of Cambridgeshire firm Hazelwood Foods has given his wholehearted support to the scheme.

He said: "I heard about the Vale Royal recycling scheme 18 months ago when I was developing my own household application for aluminium cans and plastic bottles.

"I think 40 per cent is unbelievable. If they can get plastics started the figure will be even bigger."

So what of the future for recycling? Jody Sherratt, waste awareness officer for Vale Royal, said: "I would describe this year as organised chaos. For the first few months it was very hard going.

"There were new staff, new vehicles and new rounds. We had a lot of complaints and late nights.

"SITA have done a fantastic job but we still have a long way to go.

"We want to introduce a kerbside plastic collection trial, service delivery improvements, improved participation, awareness and education, public empowerment and door knocking."