East Suffolk Council struggles with new food waste collection rules
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 16:22 · Archive
More than 28,500 homes in East Suffolk waited at least 21 days for food waste collection after new Government recycling rules came into force in June.
Food waste collection was almost 'non-existent' when East Suffolk Council implemented the Government's new recycling rules in June. Over 28,500 residents waited at least 21 days for a food waste collection, with one address in a hard-to-reach area of Sotherton, near Halesworth, having to wait 70 days without one.
The new rules required councils to collect food waste weekly and to arrange collections of glass, metal, plastic, paper and card. Although most local authorities struggled to keep up with the changes, East Suffolk Council's issues were particularly significant. Data shows more than 80 per cent of the county's eastern district experienced unreliable or non-existent food collections during June and July.
Cllr Paul Ashton, the council's lead for corporate services, apologised for the disruption. He said the council was reviewing what happened and learning lessons, adding that he wanted the council to adopt 'a continuous improvement mindset'. The council's wider leadership have also repeatedly apologised for the poor service. A review of the council's implementation is being discussed at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting.
How it is being reported
- 70-day food waste collection wait revealed amid East Suffolk bin chaosMore than 28,500 homes waited three weeks for food waste collection in East Suffolk.East Anglian Daily Times · 5 Nov, 15:37
- 70-day food waste collection wait revealed amid East Suffolk bin chaosMore than 28,500 homes waited three weeks for food waste collection in East Suffolk.Ipswich Star · 5 Nov, 15:37
In this story: East Suffolk Council · Sotherton · Halesworth · Paul Ashton
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