What Is It?

Alternate weekly collection typically involves the collection of household wastes every other week, during the intervening weeks recyclables and/or green wastes will be collected.

There is considerable variation in the schemes currently operated by local authorities in terms of what they collect and frequency of collection. However, it is becoming increasingly common for local authorities to operate a fortnightly rather than weekly collection of residual waste (non-recyclables). Where there is room to store three wheeled bins, this might mean recycling and garden waste collections one week and a residual waste collection the following week. In more urban areas where space is commonly restricted, other collection regimes need to be considered including the weekly collection of recyclables and or garden wastes.

Such schemes reduce the capacity for unsorted residual waste and so encourage householders to separate waste more carefully and therefore maximise recycling.

Placing some limits on the amount of waste to be collected by reducing the size of bins or collection frequency also encourages behaviour change by making householders think  more about waste prevention ie not generating as many waste materials in the first place.

The Background

About 180 of the 450+ local authorities in England and Wales have or are about to introduce some form of alternate weekly collection. The figure for Scotland is 11 and about 25 Northern Ireland local authorities (nearly all of them) are operating such schemes.  Alternate weekly collection has existed for some years and is not a new development.

The UK needs to improve its performance on household waste reduction and recycling. Alternate weekly collection is one approach available to local authorities who face very demanding targets originating from EU legislation to divert biodegradable waste from landfill. Failure to achieve targets will incur a fine per tonne over permissible limits (£150 in England, up to £150 in Scotland and £200 in Wales and Northern Ireland).

These requirements have been introduced to help protect the environment for the future. All waste puts pressure on the environment including a potential impact on climate change. Recycling materials, composting and other treatments helps reduce that pressure.

Voluntary recycling schemes for householders coupled with educational and promotional campaigns to communicate, engage and ensure clarity of the message well in advance, have helped to increase household waste recycling significantly in recent years. However, they have not engaged individuals who are resistant to completely voluntary schemes and householders who are inconsistent, sometimes separating waste/recyclables correctly and sometimes not. Where wastes have not been separated correctly, recyclable materials may be impossible or costly to recover.

Limiting the collection of unsorted residual waste from our houses helps to change behaviour because it encourages us to separate the waste types and recyclables. Of course, this only works if householders have appropriate waste containers and services to help them do the job properly.

Local authorities also have to give careful consideration to the cost of waste management, which ultimately is paid for by the householder through Council Tax. The cost of sending waste to landfill is rising quickly, often overtaking the cost of recycling, not to mention fines that will arise from not meeting targets under the Landfill Directive. In developing and maintaining collection schemes, thought has to be given to the cost to the householder (currently around £80 per annum as part of the Council Tax); the popular perception being much greater than this; alongside the need to improve overall environmental performance.

The Issues

Alternate weekly collections have been introduced successfully by many authorities.

Where dissatisfaction has arisen, householders complain about odours, over-full bins as well as flies and maggots and say that this is an inevitable result of bins not being collected each week.

However, local authorities report that this should not arise provided householders follow a few simple steps, including wrapping and tying up food waste and nappies and closing the bin lid properly and ensuring it is kept shut. Published research⁽¹⁾ confirms that if these common sense procedures are practised no adverse health effects will arise. Many Councils have trained staff who are able to visit people experiencing problems and explain how to get the best out of the new systems.

CIWM Views

CIWM believes that alternate weekly collection can be a valuable part of a local authority’s strategy to reduce waste and maximise recycling, but its introduction should be their choice, based on specific local needs and circumstances.

It can be viewed negatively as a reduction of service and, therefore, it should be introduced in conjunction with increased opportunities for recycling and the collection of green and food waste.

Success hinges around a number of key factors:
• Due regard for health and sanitation including the provision of appropriate containers  and advice.

• Scheme development based on sound data and good information about residents’ needs.

• A carefully thought through communications programme giving sufficient advance warning, explaining  why alternate weekly collection is needed and providing guidance on specifics, for example which materials to put in which container, how to contain them and how to stop them becoming a nuisance. Communication must be sustained long after planning and introduction of any new collection scheme.

• Help for people who need it – non-English speakers, the old or infirm, large families, houses with difficult access.

• Clear collection routines avoiding confusion or unexpected changes.

• Advice and support. 60% of people regard themselves as ‘committed recyclers’ and this can be increased through engaging people.

• Providing sufficient opportunities to go to alternate weekly residual waste collections.

CIWM Position Statements represent the Institution’s views at a particular point in time. They remain under constant review, in the light of new experience and research.

For further information, excellent detailed advice on collection schemes is available through WRAP’s website: www.wrap.org.uk
(1) Research : “Health Impact Assessment of Alternate Week Waste Collections of Biodegradable Wastes”  - www.enviros.com