National plans to roll out a free garden waste collection service
for all households across the country will cost the taxpayer £2.5
billion in just seven years, councils warn today.
Government says changes are needed to reduce the garden waste
found in non-recyclable household black bins.
However, the District Councils’ Network brands the reforms
“unnecessary” as its new survey finds garden waste is only a tiny
proportion of rubbish in black bins.
The majority of councils – three quarters – have found that
garden waste accounted for less than 5 per cent of the
non-recyclable household waste.
The DCN, which represents 183 districts in England with
responsibility for waste collection, is calling on the Government
to scrap plans for a free country-wide garden waste collection
service.
Government proposals to make collections free for everyone could
mean all those people without gardens unfairly paying towards the
maintenance of those that do have gardens.
The £2.5 billion bill would land on taxpayers over seven years,
comprising transition to new arrangements, new running costs, new
bins, more lorries and additional staff.
The plans are part of a proposed radical shake up of rubbish
collections by the Government, which would see kerbside waste
collections standardised so they are the same across England by
2023/4.
The DCN has previously warned that this could create the need for
seven separate bins to collect the different types of waste.
Cllr Dan Humphreys, DCN lead member for enhancing quality of
life, said:
“These unnecessary proposals will cost the taxpayer billions, and
many households will have no need for a garden waste collection
service.
“We have found that garden waste makes up a tiny proportion of
overall household waste. This is not a significant issue, and
does not warrant the expense, or the increased emissions from an
expanded fleet, of a universal national free garden waste
collection service – it’s like taking an expensive sledgehammer
to crack a nut.
“Furthermore it wouldn’t be fair on the many households without
gardens to have to contribute to the costs of introducing such a
service. We agree with the Government’s wider focus on the
‘polluter pays’ principle, and it should apply to garden waste
too.
“Every place is different and councils are working positively
with communities to shape and deliver the waste collection
services that work for them, and that ultimately encourage a
reduction in the amount of waste produced in the first place.”
Notes to editors
Government consultation - Consistency in Household
and Business Recycling in England – ending on Sunday 4 July
