Letter: 3-Weekly Bin Collections
2 October 2016
Starting on 3rd October, Oldham will see a radical shift in the bin collection regime to a three weekly collection cycle for all bins apart from the green bins. This is a major change and it will take time to adapt to. It will mean that residents will need to recycle more of their rubbish and help the council in their efforts to reduce the amount going to landfill.
There are a number of drivers behind these changes. Firstly the effect of the cuts on council budgets has meant the need to cut the costs of collection and the amount paid in landfill taxes. Bury Council has done this already and saved £800,000. In the face of harsh budget cuts to local councils, genuine efficiency savings like this will help prevent cuts to vital public services. There is also the need to improve recycling rates and for Oldham to play its part.
The new system will be demanding and there are things that could help the people of this borough. We need industry to reduce the amount of packaging to the bare essentials of what is required for different products.
We need more packaging to be biodegradable or recyclable, in particular hard plastic products. We also need to encourage more use of composting and to reduce the amount of food that is wasted.
The Green Party supports the changes that Oldham Council are making. There is a need, however, for the council to take the residents with them helping people to make the necessary adjustments. Resorting to fines and refusals to empty bins should be a last response and a willingness to talk and educate should be employed first.
Yours sincerely
Roger Pakeman
Treasurer
Oldham & Saddleworth Green Party
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