Rubbish idea

8:40am Thursday 8th May 2008

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PEOPLE across North Wiltshire have hit out at the likely move to fortnightly rubbish collections when the new Wiltshire Council comes into operation next year.

Although the switch is likely to boost recycling in the area, which has one of the lowest rates in the county, the move has already come under heavy fire from taxpayers.

They have major concerns including hygiene issues, fly tipping, problems with space, smell and rodents.

The move to sorted weekly collections will involve household waste being removed once every two weeks and on the alternate week plastic and card would be removed for recycling.

Mum of three Sally Barnes, 42, who lives in Wood Lane, Chippenham, is worried about the amount of rubbish that her family will accumulate in two weeks.

She said: "We use an entire wheelie bin each week as it is and if we then had to spread it over two weeks it will be horrendous.

"This is a blanket scheme that simply won't work for a majority of families who get through a lot of rubbish.

"I try and recycle as much as possible but there is still a lot we are told to just discard. I am also worried about my youngest daughter Alicia's nappies as they just can't hang around for two weeks."

Residents are also concerned about the cost of the project, which is estimated to be £1.12 million to install and £55,500 for an awareness project.

Patricia Bright of Horsebrook Park, Calne, said: "The only thing that will go up if this happens is tax on domestic rubbish.

"It is just another way for councils to take more money out of our pockets.

"I would urge everyone who struggles to pay their council tax who doesn't want fortnightly domestic collections to protest."

Martin Fuller, 55, of Archers Lane, Malmesbury, said: "This is ludicrous - there are better ways to recycle than this.

It will encourage people to dispose of rubbish in other ways - probably by fly tipping.

"Bins will be overflowing with rubbish and make the whole county look awful.

"I agree something should be done to boost recycling but this is not the way to go."

Members of the Household Waste and Recycling Task Group, who advise the district council on these matters and who have come up with these plans, have admitted there are flaws to the plans.

They have said public perception will not be good and that there is likely to be an increase in complaints regarding smells, maggots and fly tipping.

To add insult to injury the task group has also suggested that the council ensure all wheelie bins are fully closed when put out for collection.

The former executive member for environment Sylvia Doubell said: "Although this scheme is perceived to be wildly unpopular, the fact of the matter is that it works.

"This is the best way to improve recycling targets and once people come around to the idea, I think everyone will see this is for the best.

"People just need a little more education on this."

A bi-weekly collection will not come into force before 2009.