Landlord Forum: Bin Collection Updates and Recycling Initiatives in March 2025

Landlord Forum Bin Collections Thursday 6thMarch 2025

Current Service Provision Communal bins refuse, recycling, food waste Two wheeled bins refuse, recycling, food waste, garden waste, additional items coffee pods, small electricals, clothes/shoes, printer cartridges and batteries Flats above shops refuse and recycling and some food waste (Station Road E4 and Hoe Street E17)

Residential Bin Residential Bin Collections Collections From 24th March, refuse collections will change in frequency to once every two weeks Black and brown bins will be collected on alternative weeks This is for kerbside properties only and does not affect blocks of flats or buildings with communal bins, or those on sack collections with no frontage to store bins Some residents' collection days will also change they will be informed via a letter and a leaflet which is being sent to their house about these changes

85 per cent of what is currently thrown into a black bin could be recycled This change encourages residents to make full use of recycling bins and other services, and to think carefully about what goes into the black bin Helping us to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible and working towards the mission of becoming a net-zero borough Latest figures from autumn 2024 suggest that more than 259 out of 295 (nearly 90 per cent) of those Councils with responsibility for collecting bins collect their residual (black bin) waste fortnightly or every three weeks. This brings us in line with the vast majority of all local authorities, particularly those who have the best recycling rates in the country. Why are we doing Why are we doing this? this? Source- London Environment Strategy May 2018 GLA

Policies and assistance Policies and assistance for residents for residents Each street property can have 120ltrs of residual waste capacity we give 140ltr bins as standard and 240ltr larger bins on application. Studios/bedsits is 80ltrs per dwelling. Properties can share residual bins e.g Warner properties with limited frontage can share 240ltr residual waste bin One black bin per property for kerbside properties. Residents may have multiple recycling bins 240ltr bins can be provided upon request in exceptional circumstances e.g. large families over 6 in a property or medical needs. Residents need to apply for this and supply supporting documentation. 240lt bins will be provided on the basis that recycling services are being fully utilised which could result in a visit to the property; if residents do not fully utilise recycling services such as food waste collection nor do they have a larger recycling bin then this will be a change that needs to be met prior to approval of a larger refuse bin. In exceptional circumstance we will be keeping some properties on weekly collections, this circumstance is double incontinence or 3+ children in nappies

Communications to Communications to Residents Residents Letter (outlining the changes and new collection day if applicable) and a service leaflet print and distribution Social media and boosted social media posts On street JC Decaux advertising Library information screens and digital screens in town centres Information banners on railings Customer services briefings - trained contact centre staff to help residents with questions or queries on the service changes Bin hangers to go on bins where residents are over producing waste including side waste or putting their bins out on the wrong week of collection New and updated web pages including frequently asked questions QR codes for more information online Vehicle livery Staff toolbox talks and FAQ sheets including collections crews and other Council departments Resident door knocking engagement informing of the changes Members briefings

Frequently asked questions? Frequently asked questions? 1. 1. Will the bin smell Will the bin smell utilising the services offered means that this won t happened and this needs to be encouraged strongly 2. 2. Overflowing bins lead to increased vermin Overflowing bins lead to increased vermin collection crews will report overflowing bins and side waste. The property will receive a visit from a Neighbourhood Officer. Some Neighbourhood Officers will be seconded to the Recycling Team during the introduction of this service change. They will visit streets and talk with residents, as well as putting bin hangers on bins that are already overflowing, to inform the resident of their options 3. 3. D Does this move to fortnightly collections mean a reduction in Council Tax oes this move to fortnightly collections mean a reduction in Council Tax no reduction in service, it s been increased. Before the introduction of weekly food waste collections in autumn 2024, we did five collections per fortnight (two recycling, two residual waste and one garden waste). Post go love, we will do six collections per fortnight (two recycling, two food waste, one garden waste and one residual waste). 4. 4. Increases in fly Increases in fly- -tipping waste. Paul has this included in his plan good news stories/lamp post banners/increased monitoring by 3GS of hotspots tipping those predisposed to fly-tipping will continue, need to be mindful of litter bins and FLASH 5. 5. Did you consult residents before making this change Did you consult residents before making this change - we ran a consultation between 23 September and 21 October 2022, with 2,757 residents responding. The survey outlined the council s favoured option for increasing recycling and reducing waste, which included proposals to move to fortnightly collections of black bins and to introduce separate weekly food waste collections.

Next steps . . . Next steps . . . Monitoring Compliance: Our Neighbourhoods Tea, will help monitor compliance with the new schedule, ensuring that residents are following the guidelines for waste disposal and recycling. This includes checking for issues like overfilled bins, improper sorting of recyclables, and illegal dumping. Issuing Warnings and Penalties: For those who do not comply with the new rules, the Neighbourhoods Team can issue warnings and, if necessary, penalties. This can include fines for repeated non-compliance or improper waste disposal. HMO visits by Neighbourhood Officers to assess bin capacity are underway all those that need additional bins will be given them Encouraging residents to get in touch if they need additional or larger bins If you need more information please contact recyclingteam@walthamforest.gov.uk