RESIDENTS are being urged to look out for new bin collection calendars coming through their doors this month ready for changes to blue and black bin recycling collections.
The main changes, which are due to come into effect from January 31, involve moving black bin (glass, plastic bottles and cans) and blue (paper and cardboard) bin recycling collections from every two weeks to every three weeks, in line with many other areas of Greater Manchester. Green (non recycling) bin and brown (food and garden waste) bin collections will remain the same.
The policy change, being made to help protect limited funds for vital services, also involves introducing a charge for replacement bins.
Tameside Council’s Executive Cabinet took the decision last month to make the changes following a successful pilot in three trial areas in the borough and after reviewing feedback from extensive consultations both with households within the pilot and the wider public.
Continuing pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, increased demand for services and government cuts of almost £200 million over the last 10 years, mean the council is faced with having to make savings of another £23 million this financial year to balance the budget for 2021-22.
It is estimated that by introducing a charge of £25.63 per bin for replacement/additional recycling bins, it will generate/save £190k a year, while collecting blue and black recycling bins every three weeks rather than two is estimated the service can save £370k a year. Both these strategies will help safeguard vital services such as supporting vulnerable children and adults.
Tameside Council Executive Member Cllr Allison Gwynne said: “We, like every other council in the country, are under enormous pressure to make financial savings because of Government cuts to our budget. At the same time, we still need to safeguard funds for services that are valued the most by residents and in particular supporting and protecting vulnerable children and adults. Doing nothing to make efficiencies is not an option.
“The changes we’ve agreed have been shown to work very well operationally in the pilot areas – with no negative impact on collections – but we have also listened to residents’ feedback and included provision for extra bin capacity for larger households and a fee waiver for new bins in certain circumstances.
“The approach of reducing collection frequency of recycling bins to provide the efficient use of resources brings Tameside in line with numerous other Greater Manchester authorities, where again it has proven to work well.
“Ultimately, the changes will make a huge difference in saving limited funds so we can keep delivering vital services. This is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and positively help shape a sustainable and effective service for the future. Please do look out for your new collection calendar and get ready for the changes.”
The council is writing to all households to notify them of the changes. The letter will include new bin collection calendars to make it easy for households to follow the new collection frequency regime.
For further information see www.tameside.gov.uk/binchanges
What are we paying council tax for, the roads are rubbish, the centre of Ashton is a disgrace, never see a policeman , we will be taking our own rubbish to the tip if the collection is cut any more , Im ashamed of my own town.
Well that’s another load of rubbish that’s just going to get fly tipped then and whilst I don’t entirely condone it I’m not entirely unsympathetic, also the cost saving such as they are will simply be eaten up to cover the increased cost of cleaning up even more rubbish dumped illegally.