Countdown to bin collection changes

Residents are starting to receive information packs and calendars in advance of changes to the household waste collection service.

The packs are being delivered from mid-September to the start of October before the new rota starts in three weeks’ time.

Due to changes to the collection routes, some residents will find that, to begin with, there is a delay between their scheduled collections. In those circumstances, extra one-off collections will be provided, and residents in these areas will receive leaflets telling them when the extra collection dates will be. 

Residents are encouraged to get ready ahead of the changes by requesting:

· free recycling bins (blue for mixed recycling, green for paper and cardboard or brown for food waste and garden waste)  

· a free kitchen caddy and free compostable liners (to help make food waste recycling cleaner and easier); 

· a free full-size grey bin (if you have a small grey bin and will need extra space);

· An extra grey bin (if you have a large family with extra waste that can’t be recycled, e.g. disposable nappies). 

As collection days are changing for most households, an e-mail reminder service is now available to help residents keep on top of all their new collections. Residents can sign-up to the alerts at www.bury.gov.uk/bincollections.  The reminders are sent the day before and state which bins need to be put out for emptying the following day.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: “We know that many people throughout Bury already help us by being good recyclers and we thank them. But these changes are necessary if we are to recycle more and save money that can help protect other public services. 

“Everything our residents need for recycling we provide free of charge, so if you don’t have all the bins and don’t have a kitchen caddy or compostable liners, please put your request in now. We’re also keen to help larger families or other households that may have a lot of extra waste they can’t recycle, so do get in touch if you think you’re not going to be able to cope when the new service comes in.

“Studies show it’s possible to recycle around 75% and we know that other areas in Greater Manchester already recycle over 60%; so, with your support, we can do more here in Bury to reach these targets.” 

From the second week in October, collection days and collection times will change for most residents and grey bin collections will switch to three weekly from two weekly. Blue and green recycling bin collections will switch to three weekly from four weekly, and brown bin collections will continue to be
once every two weeks. 

To request bins visit www.bury.gov.uk/requestabin or www.bury.gov.uk/requestextrabin.  To check collection days and dates and to sign-up for e-mail reminders and alerts go to www.bury.gov.uk/bincollections.  Alternatively, phone 0161 253 5353. 

Residents can also find out more and ask questions at their local township forum, as well as at the following events attended by the recycling and awareness team:
 

• 19 September – Aldi in Whitefield from 10am to 5pm.


• 19 September – Mill Gate in Bury town centre form 9am to 5pm.


• 22 September – Kay Gardens in Bury town centre from 10am to 5pm.


• 30 September – Bury Town Hall main reception from 9am to 4pm.


• 30 September – Bury Town Hall main reception area from 9am to 4pm.


• 8 October – Asda in Bury town centre from 10am to 3pm.


• 9 October – Aldi in Prestwich from 10am to 5pm.

To request new or replacement bins and kitchen caddies go to www.bury.gov.uk/requestabin.  To request extra bins go to www.bury.gov.uk/requestextrabin.  For information about the changes go to www.bury.gov.uk/collectionchanges-faqs.  Or phone the information line 0161 253 5555 or our Customer Contact Team on 0161 253 5353. 

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 September 2014.

Notes to editors:

From the second week in October the way household waste is collected will change for most households.

An information leaflet and change of day leaflets have already been delivered. An information pack with a further information leaflet, new collection calendar and leaflets to help recycle all the right items in the right bin will start to be delivered between mid-September and the start of October.

Due to changes to the collection routes, collection days and collection times will change. How often we empty bins will also change. Grey bins for non-recyclable waste will be emptied less often - every three weeks instead of two; blue and green recycling bins will be emptied more often – every three
weeks instead of four; and brown recycling bins will continue to be emptied every two weeks. 

Most households will continue to have a collection of at least one type of waste every week. 

Because of extra recycling collections, the space residents have each week  across all four bins will not be any less. 

More information about the changes can be found at www.bury.gov.uk/collectionchanges-faqs.