B-Day looms for fortnightly bin collections

Posted on August 31, 2007

After more than a year of heated debate, a controversial new rubbish collection system is finally set to start around Dunstable and Eaton Bray next week.

From Monday, September 3, householders in South Beds can expect their black bins to be emptied one week, and their orange-lidded bins the next.

It has been described as a way of increasing recycling rates, and a South Beds District Council spokesman said a smooth transition was expected.

He added that new recycling bins and collection calendars were being rolled out across the district, and everyone should have them by Friday.

But as the big day draws closer, councillors and council staff will be acutely aware of the disquiet the measure has caused since it was announced last year.

Earlier this summer a petition by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) collected more than 3,000 signatures calling for a rethink.

UKIP office manager Peter Cole said that it would lead to an increase in fly-tipping and vermin, and said that any maggots he found in his bin would be delivered to council offices.

But the council pointed out that with landfill space running out fast and huge government fines on the horizon, something needed to be done to reduce the amount of rubbish going into landfill.

Councillor David McVicar, who has responsibility for the environment, said: "We're running out of holes to put our muck into. We're not in a position to say we can put what we want into a bin and it'll go into landfill. The landfill will not be there."

He added: "Other authorities have had this reaction, but within a matter of a short time that fear has been allayed and people say there are no problems."

Source: Dave Burke, Dunstable Gazette, 29 August 2007