Ever since the re-jig of the rubbish collection in 2010, the Isle of Wight has been blighted with rubbish strewn over many roads where black bins are used, as animals pick at the bags people leave out on collection day.
Happily, with the new waste contract the Island Independents are bringing in, they’ve come up with an idea that should protect the thin plastic bags that are currently used where wheelie bins can’t be used.
Reusable sacks
Labelled ‘Seagull-proof sacks’, they’re made of a thick material that gulls – and other animals – have great difficulty getting into.
The idea is that black waste bags are placed in the gull-proof sack and closed off, ready for collection. The black bags are collected from the sacks, then the sacks are left behind, ready for usage next time.
Council info
Below are the details that the council have released today:
With preparation progressing well on the Isle of Wight’s new waste contract, the council is now able to provide more details on the upcoming service.
Councillors voted in July to award the Island’s new 25 year waste contract to Amey and the two organisations are now working together to finalise the contract before it commences in November this year.
Weekly collections will remain in place, with recycling and household waste picked up on alternate weeks as it is now. Residents should continue to put out their recycling or waste as they do now.
As part of the partnership between Amey and the council, new ways to improve waste collection services and thereby increase local recycling rates will be brought in from Spring 2016.
These include a new ‘household waste’ wheeled bin for black bags, replacing the need to leave bags on the pavement overnight which can lead to them being ripped open by animals.
Properties that are not suitable for bins will be provided with a large reusable sack known as a seagull proof sack which are commonly used across the country. Residents should place their recycling and black bags in the seagull proof sack for collection on alternate weeks.
Councillor Luisa Hillard, Executive member responsible for sustainability, said: “Work is progressing well to put everything into place for the new contract to start in November.
“I know that many people have questions about how the new waste service will work and I’m pleased to be able to reassure residents that there will not be any immediate changes. The usual, alternate, weekly collections will continue unchanged and your collection day will remain the same. So from 1 November, keep placing your waste out just like normal.
“Many residents would like a bin for their black bags to keep the pavements cleaner. Next year new wheeled household waste bins or the seagull-proof sacks for those with no space for a bin will be provided and I think this will be welcomed.”
Further details about new services residents will see under the new contract will be announced in due course.
Amey will be holding public information events to introduce their team and update on their proposals for improving waste treatment services. The dates for these events will be announced shortly.
The new waste contract is designed to deliver savings on the current cost of the service, increase recycling on the Island and minimise the amount of household waste sent for landfill – with a target of 90 per cent diversion from landfill by 2020.
It replaces the existing integrated waste management contract which has been operated by Island Waste Services (a subsidiary of Biffa Ltd) since 1997.
Image: Alan Stanton under CC BY 2.0
