Changes to waste service after residents complain (From Gazette & Herald)

Changes to waste service after residents complain

HOUSEHOLDS are to be provided with either an additional wheelie bin or a larger one as part of Ryedale District Council's (RDC) recycling scheme, following protests about the experimental collection system.

Coun Howard Keal told the authority's community services and licensing committee that he had received many complaints from families currently involved in the pilot scheme in the Norton area. While recycling was "a great idea", it had resulted in households with smelling waste in the hot weather.

"The alternate weekly collection may be good for the council's running costs, but it's rubbish for the householders," he said.

Coun Keal added: "For many families, the situation is quite appalling."

He said people were experiencing overflowing bins under the new system. "The scheme is more about reducing costs than improving what is a basic service," and he warned: "If you abandon the weekly collections there will be real problems."

The committee agreed after a long debate to a three-pronged improvement to the service: that families of five or more should be provided with a second or larger bin; that two plastic-bottle collection sites should be set up at the car parks in St Nicholas Street, Norton, and Wentworth Street, Malton; and that more refuse bins or bags should be made available.

John Davison, the council's deputy chief executive, said RDC had a good track record in recycling waste which was why it had been given the high target of 22pc by the Government - the highest of any local authority in North Yorkshire, and among the top figures in the country.

He said council staff had spent time explaining the scheme to householders. "It is about changing culture and educating in waste recycling."

Phil Long, the commercial services manager, said RDC was in line for a potential substantial grant from DEFRA towards expanding its waste recycling scheme because of the success it had achieved.

"DEFRA have been particularly impressed with the councillors' commitment to recycling," said Mr Long.

Coun Linda Cowling called for more recycling facilities at Cauklands quarry, the refuse tip at Thornton-le-Dale, adding: "We should not be putting recyclable material into landfil sites."

Councillors heard that Ryedale's waste was rising by about 3pc a year.

Coun Arthur Aslett suggested that the weekly collections should be retained in the summer months, but should be fortnightly in winter to provide a solution to the complaints of smelling waste.

"We have always prided ourselves on customer satisfaction but we aren't getting it at present," he said.

The committee was told that the 2,907 properties in the Malton and Norton area currently on the pilot scheme, are to be expanded by a further 5,000 from next March, which would push Ryedale's recycling level closer towards the Government's 22pc target for the district.

Mr Long revealed that recycling levels had averaged more than 52pc in the trial areas. He said officers had dealt with 200 inquiries from residents, 20 of which had been specific complaints which had been dealt with personally by the recycling officer, including a number of home visits.

He said an initial assessment had seen a significant increase in recycling tonnage, increased public awareness of landfill problems and a high number of people involved in recycling - the kerbside paper collection had doubled overnight.

On the downside, he said there had been some difficulties in alternate weekly collections and a perception of a reduction in council service as well as concerns about hygiene.

Updated: 10:58 Wednesday, July 23, 2003