Changes to waste and recycling: cutting carbon, increasing recycling, improving efficiency
Winchester City Council and their waste partner Biffa have undertaken a review of waste and recycling collection routes. As a result, from 7 October, there will be some changes to bin collections for residents, which could mean their bins are collected on different days.
The route changes coincide with the issue of the new bin calendar to every household across the district and are part of preparations for increasing recycling in the district, such as the introduction of a food waste collection. With 35,000 fewer miles needing to be driven each year the new routes are more efficient and cut carbon emissions.
Residents in the Winchester district will receive their new waste and recycling bin calendar through the post before the end of September, along with a letter highlighting any changes in their area.
The new waste and recycling rounds start on 7 October and there is a one-week gap between the end of the existing bin calendar and the start of the new one. During that time, the existing calendar schedule will be extended, so residents should continue to put their bins out for collection as usual until 7 October.
In line with the council’s ambition of being a carbon neutral district by 2030 the new routes will include the council’s first fully electric waste and recycling vehicle. All existing vehicles have already been switched from diesel to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) – cutting emissions by up to 94%
Councillor Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, said:
“We know that residents want to be able to recycle more and these changes ensure we can seamlessly introduce wider recycling collections in the future, including food waste recycling. At the same time, we are improving the efficiency of our service and cutting carbon emissions as we do so. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing our first fully electric waste and recycling vehicle on the road this autumn!”
Residents can view and download their collection schedule from w/c 30 September online at www.winchester.gov.uk/bin-calendar.
There is also an FAQS section on the web page www.winchester.gov.uk/my-bins.