Council and democracy

Same day waste and recycling collections set to start

The improved service means that residents will be able to put out their waste and recycling on the same day of the week. Wheeled bins will continue to be emptied every week while the new twin box recycling service and the seasonal green waste service will be maintained on a fortnightly basis.

For around 95,000 households the new arrangements will involve a different collection day. Croydon Council will be distributing an information leaflet and recycling calendar setting out details of the improvements over the next few weeks.

The move to a same day service will make it easier for residents as well as resulting in greater productivity by contractors Veolia Environmental Services, and a faster response to any missed collections.

The shift is part of a £4.75 million investment in better facilities that are intended to maintain the rising trend in household recycling. Croydon has set its sights on achieving a 28% return within the next 12 months. 

Also starting on 30 June will be an extended recycling service for some 75,000 residents living in blocks of flats, which will be implemented over the next 18 months. 

Introduction of the improvements has been made easier by the council extending its contract with Veolia, the UK's leading waste management company. By lengthening the contract by four years, through to 2014, and securing greater efficiencies, the council expects to save around £1 million a year.

The flexibility of the contract and the working relationship the council is developing with Veolia has already seen a stack of improvements during the last year and more are in the pipeline.

Over the past couple of years the borough's recycling rate has climbed from 16% - one of the worst records in London - to a more respectable  23%. Public satisfaction ratings with street cleansing have also risen from 47% in 2003 to 61% in the latest study.

Experience has shown that retendering usually results in higher costs, so the council is very pleased that the negotiated contract extension will result in better performance and lower costs. Robust management systems have been drawn up setting out the specification of the work Veolia will undertake and defining the outcomes the council expects to be achieved. Key measurement indicators include the number of missed bins and the tonnage of collected recyclable materials.

Said cabinet member for environment and highways, Councillor Phil Thomas: "Overall, Croydon is investing more than ever in extra recycling facilities, reflecting the priority of local residents. And there's no doubt that the enterprising nature of our relationship with Veolia has paved the way for the improved service we are now able to provide.

"A same day collection service is in response to customer comments and something we have been working to achieve for some while. It means that residents won't have to remember to leave out different containers on different days and the service will be more efficient as a result."

Said Veolia's regional municipal director, Rob Edmondson: "It is great news that we have been awarded this extension and we aim to ensure that residents benefit directly from our strong partnership with Croydon Council and the various improvements we are implementing for the borough's waste and recycling services. The increase in materials collected for recycling means more waste is diverted from landfill."