Fortnightly collections 'not likely' (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Fortnightly collections 'not likely'

8:44am Saturday 12th May 2007 in News By Chris Wickham

The question of whether alternate weekly rubbish collections will be introduced in Richmond is unlikely to come up in the next three years, according to the borough's environment supremo.

Research has shown recycling rates increase when councils collect rubbish on a fortnightly, rather than weekly, basis but councillor Martin Elengorn, Richmond upon Thames Council's cabinet member for environment, said efforts were being focussed on a new system, including weekly rubbish collections, which is being introduced this autumn.

The Local Government Association, the organisation which represents councils in England, revealed last month that recycling rates in areas where rubbish is collected every two weeks is 30 per cent.In areas where it is collected weekly, the rate is 23 per cent.

Coun Elengorn said all new information was being examined, but Richmond Council's plan was to have weekly rubbish and recycling collections and a more thorough pick-up of materials, a plan agreed by the council's cabinet in January.

"We are concentrating our efforts on the new service launching in November," he said. "We are determined to make success of that and increase the rate through that. We were aware that in some councils, fortnightly collections have increased recycling rates, but many of them were starting from a low base.

"We will keep alert to changes in public opinion and if there is an incredible demand for changing we will go for fortnightly collection."

Coun Elengorn said the council would keep alert to events in other areas of the country.

"It is not likely to happen in the lifetime of this council," he added.