Countdown to new waste service

8.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Oct 2007

The borough is poised for a new era in recycling with the countdown under way for the new waste and recycling collection service.

November 5 is the launch date for the changes, which will introduce one of the most comprehensive, source-separated, collections in the UK. The expanded service aims to boost efficiency and raise the borough's recycling rate. It will mean that residents will have all their waste and recycling collected on the same day, making it a simpler, more streamlined system - and easier to remember. And for the first time residents will be able to recycle plastic bottles and cardboard from home via the existing black box or new white collapsible recycling bag which is being delivered to each home. Full information on how to use the new service will be delivered to homes throughout the borough during October. In the run-up to the changes, a team of recycling advisers have been visiting residents to answer questions and encourage those who don't already recycle to do so. This is all aimed at ensuring the smooth introduction of the new arrangements.

Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Martin Elengorn, said: "This is a very exciting development, which will provide one of the best waste services in the capital. It's all aimed at making it easier for our residents to recycle. We aim to push recycling rates up to 40 per cent and make a real improvement to our environment, and I'm sure this can be achieved. For the first time there will be weekly kerbside collections for plastic bottles and cardboard as well as a same-day collection service for both refuse and recycling for all our residents.

"It promises to be one of the most comprehensive kerbside services in the UK. One further benefit is that all the recyclables are collected separately, not mixed together, and that produces the highest quality materials for future re-use. We have consulted with our residents at every step. The results of a major public consultation last summer were used to shape the new service to ensure it meets residents' needs. We aim to make the transition as seamless as possible and have been working closely with the contractor, Veolia, to ensure that any teething problems are kept to a minimum. "

For more information on the changes go to the Council website www.richmond.gov.uk/collection_changes or call 08456 122 660.