Introduction Of New Waste Service On Track

1.43.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 18th Sep 2007

Dismissing mischievous claims to the contrary by local Tories Cllr Martin Elengorn, Richmond's Cabinet member for the Environment, confirmed that plans for an improved waste service are progressing well.

"Local residents have shaped the service, and have had a big say in the improvements introduced," he said. "All residents, rather than just some, will now have recycling and refuse collected on the same day. Even more recyclable material will be collected from the kerbside - including plastic bottles and cardboard - while a weekly service for both refuse and recycling will continue."??The improved service will be launched at the beginning of November, the same time of year as when previous changes were made in 2004. There may be some teething troubles for the first few weeks, as both residents and crews settle into the new routine and get accustomed to what materials go where. However, both the council and its contractor, Veolia, are confident that the improved service will be bedded in by Christmas. Veolia has kept the workforce informed of the changes, which include an overall increase in the number of crews collecting the waste, with a reduction of the ordinary rubbish crews. This reflects an anticipated reduction is residual waste, once plastic bottles and cardboard are collected for recycling from kerbside, and an increase in the number of recycling crews.??"The new service offers one of the most comprehensive source-separated collections in the UK" explained Cllr Martin Elengorn, "As with any major service change there will be some disruption, but plans are well developed to ensure that our customers will be provided with one of the best waste services in London. If we all work together and play our part, we can achieve a recycling rate of 40% and make a real improvement to our environment. "