Time is running out to have your say on changes to bin collections in Daventry district

Daventry District Council’s (DDC) Waste and Recycling Options survey is gaining people’s views on proposals for the service beyond the current contract with Amey/Enterprise, which ends in June 2018.

It has met with a strong response so far, but the council is keen to gather as much feedback as possible and is reminding residents and businesses that the deadline to have their say is 5pm on Thursday March 13.

The consultation asks for people to give their views on the proposed ‘1-2-3’ service, which would include (1) a weekly food waste collection, (2) a two-weekly recycling collection and (3) a three-weekly non-recyclable waste (black bin) collection.

The 1-2-3 proposal follows a waste options appraisal carried out by the council, which looked at a wide range of options for the service beyond the current contract.

The current service costs about £750,000 a year to run. But carrying on with the same service beyond 2018 would cost at least £1.25 million more per year, mainly because the prices paid for recyclable materials have dropped since the current contract was tendered in 2010.

With local authorities needing to meet higher recycling targets in the future, DDC is also trying to ensure that a minimum 45 per cent of waste is recycled.

Councillor Jo Gilford, Daventry District Council’s environment portfolio holder, said: “We have been pleased with the number of responses we have received so far but it’s for us to hear the views of residents and local businesses right across our district.

“This will help us ensure we do the best job we can in designing a service that meets residents’ needs, is affordable to run, complies with the law, and protects our environment.”

For more details, a list of frequently asked questions about the proposals and a link to the consultation survey, visit www.daventrydc.gov.uk/consultation. Alternatively you can request a paper copy by calling 01327 871100.