Thurrock Council propose fortnightly general and garden waste collections

Thurrock Council say that proposed changes to waste collections in Thurrock will help boost recycling rates while ensuring that weekly collections of food waste and dry recycling are maintained.

The changes have been recommended by the cross-party Waste Management Working Group and form part of a comprehensive Municipal Waste Strategy for Thurrock which sets the agenda to boost recycling in the next decade. Proposals include introducing a new separate food bins and moving to fortnightly collections of general and garden waste.

Cllr Aaron Watkins, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:

“The cross-party Waste Management Working Group have looked at the results of a public consultation carried out earlier this year and what other authorities with high recycling rates have done as well as examining every aspect of waste collection, disposal and recycling here in Thurrock. I am grateful for the thorough work carried out by the group.

“They have been working hard over the last 14 months ensuring a robust strategy would be produced.

“This strategy will play a significant role in boosting recycling rates and building on the good work we have already been doing such as delivering a new recycling scheme to flats. By making sure that more of the borough’s waste is reused or recycled we can cut down on harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

“Throughout this process, our hard-working staff have been at the heart of our conversations and have been fully consulted on developments.

“The approach recommended ensures weekly collections will be maintained for the majority of waste, while helping to encourage residents into recycling more and wasting less.”

In addition to considering the recommendations from the working group, Cabinet will also decide whether to charge for garden waste collections to help the council work within budgets and protect the weekly collections of some other waste streams. Any charge would be in line with many other neighbouring councils.

The Cabinet report can be found here: https://democracy.thurrock.gov.uk/documents/s28577/Waste%20Strategy%20Update.pdf