Fortnightly black bin collections in Waltham Forest raise fears of increased fly-tipping and pest problems among residents.
Currently, the borough has four bins: a black bin for non-recyclables, green bins for recycling, and brown bins which take garden waste. Food waste has its own caddy, which the council started last year.
Black bins will be collected less often for houses, not flats. Recycling and food waste get picked up weekly, and garden waste stays fortnightly for everyone.
Some residents are not happy, with one person calling it a “dumb idea”. They fear more pests and bad smells, while another thinks fly-tipping will increase and another is upset about taxes and services. Problems picking bins up already exist too.
A residents group is also concerned, noting summer will be worse. They think foxes and rats will spread rubbish, and that people may dump bags easily.
A council leader, Clyde Loakes, spoke anyway saying food waste collection is helping, as they are collecting much more now. The changes aim to improve recycling and the goal is a net-zero borough by 2030.
He said most waste recycles now, thanks to green bins and food caddies, both of which are collected weekly. Most UK councils use similar schedules, and many use fortnightly collections.
Emma Best also spoke against this change. Past councils with this setup had issues with fly-tipping and rats were common problems. She wants the council to manage problems well.
The budget does not include extra cleanup funding, though an official expects no increase in litter. They are ready for the change, and have started an anti-fly-tipping campaign, fining people caught in the act.
Some households change on March 24th, while others will change on March 31st. The council wants the borough to stay clean.