Alternate Bin Collection Service
Frequently Asked Questions
- What Changes have been made to bin collections?
- Why has Hart changed the way waste is collected?
- Can I still use the existing bring sites?
- Have other councils introduced similar schemes?
- Does Hart have to collect my bin every week?
- What are the health implications by collecting waste this way?
- Has this change in method of collection increased my council tax?
- Won’t this scheme lead to more fly tipping?
- Why have you introduced these changes without consulting every resident?
- Why have you stopped taking my side waste?
- Aren’t the new arrangements a reduction in service?
- Won’t leaving rotting food in my wheeled bin over two weeks cause health hazards?
- Won’t the new arrangements lead to more nuisance bonfires?
- Will clinical waste collections still be collected every week?
- Will I continue to receive an assisted collection? What if I need help with my bin or bag?
- Is it really worth recycling and collecting waste separately?
- What are the benefits to me?
- Will the same refuse collection crew that collects my black bin be collecting my blue bin?
- Will the same refuse vehicle that is used for normal waste collection be used for the blue or black bin collections? Isn't it all just going to landfill?
- How will I know which week it is for refuse or recycling?
What changes have been made to bin collections?
In October 2006 Hart District Council made changes to the frequency in which they collect household waste. Hart collect your dry recyclables one-week in your blue bin and the next week they will collect your non-recyclable (residual) waste in your black bin. Garden waste will continue to be collected in the sacks fortnightly if you have subscribed to the garden waste collection scheme.
A kerbside glass collection was also introduced at the same time.
Why has Hart changing the way waste is collected?
The Government has imposed statutory recycling targets, which, if not met could lead to financial penalties being imposed and could have an effect on Council Tax levels. For Hart, in 2006 our recycling rate wais 24%. In 2006/07 the Council had a target to reach of 33% and by 2010 50%.
Space is running out where we can put waste and legislation requires that more and more waste that rots has to be removed from landfill sites. Hart chose to make these improvements all at once in October 2006 to create as little inconvenience to householders as possible and give you the opportunity to recycle more.
Can I still use the existing Bring Sites (bottle banks)?
Yes. You can still make use of the Bring Sites” or bottle banks in Hart. You can recycle glass at most of our sites and at some there are facilities for recycling clothing, paper and cardboard. See our Recycling Banks web page
You can also visit Hampshire County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres in Hartley Wintney (Springwell Lane) or Farnborough (Wade Road). See our Recycling Centres web page
Have other councils introduced similar schemes?
There are currently over 150 other councils in the country that have, or are about to introduce, an alternate week collection scheme. Neighbouring councils like Rushmoor are using this method of collection. East Hants, a rural authority like Hart has recently introduced a similar scheme in their district with considerable success.
Doesn’t Hart have to collect my bin each week?
Local Authorities have a duty to collect your household waste but can say how often they offer collections and select the size, shape and type of containers used.
Using two bins, which are collected on alternate weeks, gives you the same space for disposing of your waste as you have always had. Using the second 240 litre blue lidded bin for recyclable material provides more space for recycling than ever before.
Won’t leaving rotting food in my wheeled bin over two weeks cause health hazards?
No, in other Councils’ experience, it has not been proven that an alternate week collection service causes health hazards. Your bin won’t smell much worse after a fortnight than it does after a week as long as basic housekeeping rules are followed. Always bag up all your rubbish before putting it into the bin. It is advised that food waste and pet waste is double bagged or wrapped in newspaper before putting into the bin to reduce smells. The bin lid should always be closed to stop flies getting in and laying eggs that produce maggots. If, after all of these precautions have been followed, the bin becomes dirty, we advise that you swill it out with disinfectant after it has been emptied. The Council provides a service for dealing with rats and mice in homes; details of the pest control service can be obtained by phoning Tel: 01252 622122 or visit our Pest Control web pages
What are the health implications by collecting waste this way?
There is no evidence to suggest that there is a risk to public health if householders follow our simple guidelines. By following these you can ensure that any smells arising from your bin can be avoided.
- Double wrap food waste before putting into your bin if there are a few days to go before your collection day.
- Compost uncooked vegetable and fruit waste.
- Storing your bin out of direct sunlight can also help prevent smells.
- Keep the lid of your bin firmly closed to prevent animals and flies getting in.
- Having your bin washed regularly also helps. Place 2-3 centimetres hot water into the bottom of your bin with bicarbonate of soda and agitate. Please remember to dispose of the dirty water sensibly.
Has this change in method of collection increased my council tax?
Hampshire County Council pays landfill tax to dump waste and recovers the cost from residents through council tax. Over time increasing recycling will affect council tax because every tonne of waste that is recycled rather than going to landfill reduces this cost.
The introduction of this scheme has also kept increases in Hart District Council’s council tax related to waste collection to a minimum. If Hart had continued with its old weekly collection scheme the cost would have risen significantly and had an impact on council tax. But saving money is not the main reason for introducing the alternate week scheme - encouraging people to recycle is.
Won't this scheme lead to more fly tipping?
Information from the many councils who have previously introduced this system shows that fly tipping does not significantly increase. We respond to fly-tipped material within 24 hours of notification.
Hart will issue Fixed Penalty Notices to fly-tippers or prosecute in more serious cases. If you wish to report fly-tipping please look at the information on our Flytipping web page.
Why have you introduced these changes without consulting every resident?
Public consultations were held throughout the district explaining the options available with respect to future refuse collections. Residents who attended the meetings were asked to complete a questionnaire about waste and recycling in the future.
Why have you stopped taking my side waste?
The Council stopped collecting side waste sometime ago because it encourages waste generation instead of promoting waste prevention - the best environmental option. In the past we have disposed of our waste by dumping it in landfills. This is now largely viewed as an unsustainable method of waste disposal. Landfill sites generate polluting effluents and methane (a climate altering greenhouse gas). Managing these sites is becoming costly and people do not want to live near to them. Also we are now running out of landfill capacity in some parts of the country. Local authorities have to pay to dispose of householder's rubbish. The cost of this service is included in Council Tax payments made by residents. By reducing the quantity of household waste, you will not only be helping improve the environment, you will also be helping to control the growth of your Council Tax.
Aren’t the new arrangements a reduction in service?
No, we are still operating a weekly collection service, just collecting different types of rubbish on different weeks. In accordance with the Environmental Protection Act (1990), every authority in the UK is permitted to introduce schemes that encourage recycling and reduce waste being sent to landfill. Over 150 other local authorities have introduced similar schemes. We have to do this to reduce the amount of waste collected, and increase the amount of waste recycled.
Won’t the new arrangements lead to more nuisance bonfires?
The new arrangements and advice should ensure that there is no reason to attempt inappropriate or illegal methods of disposal. Specific advice will be available on how to dispose of garden waste, for example by home composting.
Will clinical waste collections still be collected every week?
Yes, the clinical waste collection service will still be carried out weekly.
Will I continue to receive an assisted collection? What if I need help with my bin or bag?
Yes, if your circumstances have not changed since you were given an assisted collection you will continue to receive it. If you don't currently get help with moving your containers and you are elderly or disabled, please telephone 01252 844915 for more information.
Is it really worth recycling and collecting waste separately?
Since we introduced the scheme the amount of recycling has increased significantly.
The benefits to the environment are:
- Reducing the amount of waste that has to be landfilled
- Reducing the amount of harmful gasses, which are a cause of global warming, being released into the atmosphere
- Reducing potential pollution of watercourses
- Preserving valuable resources and environments from which materials are extracted
What are the benefits to me?
We all want to do our best for the environment and the improved services will make that easier, for example:
- By making it more convenient to recycle
- Keeping down the cost of waste disposal and recycling
Will the same refuse collection crew that collects my black bin be collecting my blue bin?
Yes, the same crew collecting the black bin will collect your blue bin on alternate weeks.
Will the same refuse vehicle that is used for normal waste collection be used for the blue bin collections? Isn't it all just going to landfill?
Yes. The same vehicle will be used to collect your waste, it will be used to collect black bin waste one week and blue bin waste the next week. The vehicle is cleaned out at the end of the week it collects black waste to ensure no contamination. The contents of the blue bins are not sent to landfill. The blue bin waste goes to a Materials Recycling Facility (MRF). The waste is then sorted and sold to reprocessors for manufacturing into recycled goods.
How will I know which week it is for refuse or recycling?
There will be information relating to collection days in the local press, on the web site and a sticker will be placed on the bins also information relating to the materials that should be put in the different containers. Please read this information carefully and keep it for future reference.
Springwell Lane Depot,
Hartley Wintney,
Hampshire,
RG27 8BW
waste-management@hart.gov.uk
Tel: 01252 622122
Fax: 01252 844925
