Over the next 2 weeks, Island households will be receiving a booklet informing them if their property has been assessed as suitable for either wheeled bin or gull-proof sack collection of their household recycling and non-recyclable rubbish.
All households are being asked to look out for their booklet, which will be delivered between 21st March and 4th April (by the Royal Mail) on behalf of the Council and its waste partner Amey.
If, on receipt of the booklet, householders believe they have room for wheeled bin collection but have not been allocated this, they should contact the Council on 01983 823777 to request wheeled bins. Amey have carried out a survey over a period of 3 months of all 71,000 properties on the Isle of Wight to determine the best waste management arrangement for each household.
Under the improvements to recycling and rubbish collections on the Island, properties have been allocated and are due to receive the following:
• For recycling collections – Either a green wheeled bin (you will retain your existing bin if you already have one) or a green gull-proof sack. For the green wheeled bin you will also receive a 55-litre black insert box for paper/card waste, which can sit inside the green wheelie bin or on the kerbside. Smaller 140-litre green bins can be requested. If you are allocated a green gull-proof sack you will also receive an additional blue reusable sack for your paper/card waste.
Gull proof sacks, which are machine washable, have been allocated to properties with no frontage. The sacks will deter wildlife and will help to reduce spillages onto the pavement.
• For rubbish (non-recyclable) collections – Either a black wheeled bin or a black gull-proof sack. You will place your rubbish in bin liners inside your black wheeled bin or black gull-proof sack. Islanders are being warned that rubbish (non-recyclable) left in sacks at the kerbside separately will not be collected – all black bags must be in a black bin or sack.
The new black bins are 140 litres in size and will hold 4 black bags. Larger bins are available for households with 6 or more residents or those with more than 2 children in nappies, or those with clinical needs. The bins are expected to last 10-20 years.
Paul Southall, account director for Amey, said:
“We have undertaken a survey of all properties and found a number of homes that were originally allocated loose sack collections in 2012 that are instead suitable for a wheeled bin. Residents will be told in their waste information booklet, which will be delivered between 21 March and 4 April, if they are getting a wheeled bin or gull sacks.
“Residents should wait until they receive their booklet to see what they have been allocated, and if they still believe they do need a wheeled bin, they should request one from the council.”
People who live in accommodation that uses a bin store should continue to put their waste in the bins provided.
The new wheeled bins and gull-proof sacks will begin to be delivered from 30th March, and according to a set schedule following booklet delivery. Residents should not use these new bins or sacks until 2nd May.
It is hoped that recycling rates on the Isle of Wight can be increased to 56% by 2020, with a reduction of waste to landfill to 10% by 2020.
More information on the upcoming waste improvements can be found at www.iwight.com/waste.
