ORANGE BINS BEING WHEELED OUT ACROSS SOUTH BEDFORDSHIRE

The first Orange lidded bins for recyclable waste are being introduced to the District from 2 July. Starting in Dunstable the scheme will be rolled out across the whole District in readiness for the first collections which will begin on 3 September.

The distribution has to begin this early to ensure everyone has his or her bin when the collection scheme begins in September. Over 6000 bins will be delivered each week for eight weeks and residents can use the bins straight away to store their orange sacks containing recyclables however the bags should be left out on your collection day as usual.  From the week commencing September 3 2007 the bins themselves should be used for loose recyclables only, and left out in place of the bags at the usual collection point.

The new orange lidded bins have a life-cycle from 10-15 years and will save over £120,000 per year in orange bag costs and prevent over 4.6 million of these bags being produced and prove a more cost effective option to the orange bags.  Recycling officers at the council are sure the new system will increase the rates of recycling and so reduce the volume of waste going to landfill. Those currently using black bag collection will see no change to their delivery.

Councillor David McVicar portfolio holder with executive responsibility for recycling said: “The introduction of these new bins is an essential part of our waste collection service, helping us to meet Government targets on recycling.

Failure to meet these targets will result in future fines and taxes, which will increase the costs of waste disposal in the District. I hope that this new service will encourage a greater degree of recycling which makes both environmental sense and plays its part in keeping down future costs which could amount to £1m in 2010 rising to £5m by 2013, no one even the most hardened recycling sceptic wants to see that.”

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Press release issued: June 12 2007