Birmingham Council to End Free Garden Bags Refuse Collections
As of February 2014, Birmingham City Council will begin charging its residents for their annual garden waste bag collection service, and will stop providing free plastic garden bags. Birmingham council have stated that they have to make financial savings due to a reduction in funding from central government. Cllr James McKay, Cabinet Member for a Green, Safe and Smart City, said: "It is with extreme reluctance we are introducing a charge for green recycling collection, but given the financial crisis the council is facing, we have to move to a service we can actually afford to deliver."
Charges
The initial annual charge is set at 35.00 per wheelie bin although there is an opportunity to get a 5.00 'early bird' discount for households that sign up before November 15th. Council leader Sir Albert Bore said that the charge was "in line with other councils" and is expected to save around 400,000 a year. The council is no longer supplying black and green waste bags to residents, which is expected to save a further 1 million per year over the next four years.
Each household that signs up will be given one 240 litre wheelie bin. If more than one bin is required then they will be provided for an additional annual charge. The council believe using wheelie bins will reduce mess and is also more environmentally friendly by reducing the use of plastic garden bags.
For properties where the use of wheelie bins is completely unfeasible, a plastic garden bag service can be provided. 60 labelled bags will be provided for use between the March and November collection period. The annual charge for this will be the same.
The council also hopes that by limiting and charging for garden waste removal this will encourage home composting. The council can provide composting bins of various sizes for a charge. They are available to buy on their website.
Other cutbacks
Birmingham council will also be making reductions to City Centre street cleansing. However the council are introducing larger capacity bins, fitted with compactors to reduce emptying frequencies, and more automated technology to improve productivity. Mechanical sweeping of the many of the main roads will reduced from 20 to 15 per year. Many of the enhanced services relating to fly tipping, fly posting, littering and dog fouling also being discontinued. Cllr James McKay, said: "Cuts to the services that help make our city a cleaner and greener place are not something that sit easy with me."
Charges
The initial annual charge is set at 35.00 per wheelie bin although there is an opportunity to get a 5.00 'early bird' discount for households that sign up before November 15th. Council leader Sir Albert Bore said that the charge was "in line with other councils" and is expected to save around 400,000 a year. The council is no longer supplying black and green waste bags to residents, which is expected to save a further 1 million per year over the next four years.
Each household that signs up will be given one 240 litre wheelie bin. If more than one bin is required then they will be provided for an additional annual charge. The council believe using wheelie bins will reduce mess and is also more environmentally friendly by reducing the use of plastic garden bags.
For properties where the use of wheelie bins is completely unfeasible, a plastic garden bag service can be provided. 60 labelled bags will be provided for use between the March and November collection period. The annual charge for this will be the same.
The council also hopes that by limiting and charging for garden waste removal this will encourage home composting. The council can provide composting bins of various sizes for a charge. They are available to buy on their website.
Other cutbacks
Birmingham council will also be making reductions to City Centre street cleansing. However the council are introducing larger capacity bins, fitted with compactors to reduce emptying frequencies, and more automated technology to improve productivity. Mechanical sweeping of the many of the main roads will reduced from 20 to 15 per year. Many of the enhanced services relating to fly tipping, fly posting, littering and dog fouling also being discontinued. Cllr James McKay, said: "Cuts to the services that help make our city a cleaner and greener place are not something that sit easy with me."
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