Frequently Asked Questions
To help you understand the aims and objectives of Harborough District Council's Waste and Recycling Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2022, we have devised some frequently asked questions:
Q. Why are the Council looking to change the current collection?
A. This will enable the Council to offer a service where additional materials can be collected and make the system easier and more user friendly for residents.
Q. What’s wrong with the current service?
A. There is nothing wrong with the current system but it has reached a maximum of what can be recycled using the current collection vehicles and containers provided. The Council wants to expand the range of materials collected.
Q. Why has the Council not changed the service before now to include plastics?
A. In recent years the technology on how to recycle plastics and other materials has seen significant improvements, this has enabled councils to recycle in a co-mingled system whereby material can be placed in one container. Each Authority will have made a decision to see if it was financially feasible, some districts have a smaller area to cover whilst others have a higher cost per household for collection if they have been bulking materials like plastics. The decision in Harborough was to keep the recycling and composting rate high whilst offering value for money with the current fleet set up.
Q. When will the service change?
A. The Council are currently only exploring whether a change to current system is feasible .A date has not been set for the change, the Council are still exploring how we can change the system and what would work best for residents using it.
Q. Will I get another bin?
A. Yes, a third bin would be issued to all households, it has not been decided how each one would be used as yet. The proposed idea is to use a three wheeled bin system.
Q. My property has no storage for an extra bin, what will happen?
A. Any properties that have storage or access issues will be looked at and we would work with the resident to find a suitable alternative to allow them to participate in any changes.
Q. What size bin will I get? And what colour will it be?
A. No decision has been made on the size and colour of the bin at this stage, the Council is still working through the different options available.
Q. What material will the new service collect?
A. It is proposed that the new system would allow residents to compost food waste and green waste mixed; Recycle glass, paper, cans, all types of plastics and Tetra Pak containers. There may be options to include other types of packaging, again this has not been finalised. A third bin would be used for the residual waste that cannot be recycled.
Q. I receive help to put my bin out on collection day, will this stop?
A. No, the Council will continue to assist residents who have difficulties presenting their wheeled bin and this will be extended to the new system.
Q. Will the service cost more?
A. No, it is proposed that the new service will reduce the overall cost of the service by making it more cost efficient and environmentally friendly.
Q. How will I be informed if any changes are approved?
A. The Council will be publicising any changes through a clear and precise communications campaign so that residents will know how the service would change, when it will happen and how they will be able to use it.
Q. What will happen to the food caddies and recycling boxes?
A. No decision has been made until approval for any changes takes place. This will be outlined in the communications campaign to residents.
