Tackling our recycling crisis: all systems go

It is all systems go for the trial of a possible new waste collection system for Brentwood, aimed at tackling the Borough’s recycling crisis.

Cllr David Worsfold, (LD – Shenfield), chair of the Council’s Clean & Green Committee, was out in Ingatestone recently when the bins and bags were being delivered for the trial, speaking with residents and explaining the reasons for looking at new ways of collecting household waste.

The trial is supported by both ward Councillors for Ingatestone, Darryl Sankey and Hugh Gorton, and the local parish council.

“We have a recycling crisis in Brentwood and doing nothing about it is not an option”, says Cllr Worsfold.

“The recycling rates in Brentwood have been falling for ten years and are now just 37%, the worst in Essex and among the worst in the country. The government target is 65% by 2035 and all the councils that achieve that level collect residual waste (black bags) fortnightly or three weekly.

“We have looked at every option and believe the simple change to the fortnightly collection of residual waste in a wheeled bin, provided free of charge is the best option. This is what we will be trialling this autumn for 500 households in Ingatestone.

He added: “Food waste will be collected weekly and we would like to see more people take advantage of that.”

Cllr Worsfold stressed: “We are not rushing into anything; we are running a trial to test whether it works. Any decision to make a wider change will be based on hard evidence.

“Failure to address our poor recycling rates will cost us all money as we will lose government subsidies and incentives, [which is] something those who do not believe in tackling this environmental challenge do not tell you.

“The alternative is that we send more rubbish for incineration, more rubbish to landfill and do more damage to our environment,” he concluded.

The trial starts in the week commencing 6 October and will run into the New Year when the trial will be reviewed by officers and possibly extended for another two months. It will be supported by widespread consultation throughout the trial period.

Only after all the evidence and feedback has been collected will any decision be made about the best way forward for Brentwood as a whole.