1-2-3 bin collections agreed as basis for future service across Daventry district

At its meeting on Thursday 28 July Daventry District Council (DDC) agreed to move forward with proposals for a new type of waste and recycling service from June 2018, when the current environmental services contract with Amey/Enterprise ends.

Called a ‘1-2-3’ service, it would comprise (1) a weekly food waste collection, (2) a two-weekly recycling collection using a full-size compartmentalised wheelie bin and (3) a three-weekly general waste collection. A separate garden waste collection service would also be made available at an additional cost for those who want it.

DDC wants to introduce the new type of service when the contract ends as keeping the existing one would mean an increase in running costs of £1.25 million a year. The 1-2-3 service is the most affordable option, will help meet national recycling targets and also change some of the things people don’t like about their current collections.

Nearly 1,000 people gave their feedback on the proposal during a public consultation during February and March and the option was discussed, and recommended, by DDC’s Strategy Group on July 14 before being approved at the council meeting on Thursday.

Labour's three councillors voted against the proposal, voicing concerns over the implication for residents who dispose of nappies or pet waste. They suggested a trial should be run, but other councillors pointed out other parts of the UK are already running similar schemes and DDC could learn from them rather than spending time and money on a local trial.

Detailed work will now move forward on how these future collections are to be delivered. Options could include the Council running the waste and recycling service in-house, sharing it with another council or councils, or outsourcing to a contractor.

Councillor Jo Gilford, Daventry District Council’s environment portfolio holder said: “When our current waste and recycling contract ends in 2018, we know the future cost of the service will be a lot higher, regardless of design or supplier. The contract has been running since 2011 and there have since been lots of changes to the waste industry, including a considerable drop in prices received for recycling materials which is unlikely to change in the near future.

“Keeping the existing collections service is just too expensive and our challenge has been to find an alternative that’s not only the most affordable but also the best fit for our District. Having now looked at all the options available, we believe the ‘1-2-3’ service is the way forward. It will enable us to deliver a quality service to our residents that can be managed within our budgets whilst encouraging a future increase in recycling which is good for the environment.

“I would like to thank everyone who gave their views on the proposals as the process moved forward. Now we have agreed on what the future service should look like, the next step is to explore how it will be delivered and by whom.”