Hackney residents have used social media to express their anger at the council’s proposal to reduce bin collection as an initiative to encourage recycling.
A new initiative from Hackney council, which reduces black bin collection for street level properties from once a week to once a fortnight, came into force on Monday 1 March. The measure will not include flats and properties with communal bins.
For all properties, collection of recycling and food waste will remain weekly.
The properties concerned have been issued with a new wheeled bin with a capacity of 180 litres. Rubbish will only be collected if contained within the bin.
On their website, Hackney Council have said: “The bins provide more than enough space for two weeks worth of waste for an average household.” However larger households will be able to apply for a second bin.
Responses on Twitter include concerns about vermin levels, street accessibility when larger bins are put out, and accusations of possible financial incentives for the council.
Graham Hamps, who lives in Clapton, told the Hackney Post: “I find it ridiculous. It must have cost the council a fortune to set up. Environmentally it will be a mess and encourage more vermin. The large bins on the pavement are dangerous for disabled people and women with children.”
Paolo Caldato, who has lived with his wife in Stoke Newington for 11 years, said: “It’s frustrating to see the council denying that this is a cost-saving measure.”
“My concern is that these changes will lead to a sharp increase in fly-tipping. […] Ultimately, there are other things the council could be doing to encourage recycling including increasing the types of materials that can be recycled.”
The council hopes for increased recycling
In response to negative reactions, Hackney Council said: “Currently, around half of the waste that is thrown away in Hackney could be recycled. It is hoped that the switch to fortnightly collections will increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent for incineration by 4,500 tonnes each year — the equivalent of 450 bin lorry loads of waste — and help tackle the climate emergency as fewer overall waste collections take place.”
Mayor Phillip Glanville said: “Hackney residents have made incredible progress in increasing the amount they recycle, with recycling rates up from 1 percent in 1998 to around 28 percent today.
“Recycling and food waste collections are staying weekly to help residents recycle as much as possible – and I’d encourage people to try using our new fox-proof food waste bins for their food scraps, which will help keep other bins clean.
“We know these changes will be more difficult for some and are keen to help households through this process. We are committed to ensuring that our streets remain some of the cleanest in London.”
