Thame homes to be leafleted about new waste collection

AN Introductory leaflet is on its way to every home in South Oxfordshire this week, explaining about the increased range of recyclable materials soon to be collected from our doorsteps.

From June 8, South Oxfordshire District Council will introduce a separate food waste collection so the waste that currently goes to landfill can be composted and a completely revamped recycling service so residents can recycle more than ever from their home. For the first time, South Oxfordshire residents will be able to recycle glass and food and drink cartons such as Tetra Paks from their home.

Under the new service, residents will be given a special food waste bin that will be emptied every week for composting and a small caddy bin for storing in the kitchen. Recycling and any rubbish that can’t be recycled or composted will be collected on alternate weeks from wheeled bins.

The leaflet has information on what bins people will receive and when they can expect to get them. It also has a helpful FAQ section to answer some of the questions people may have, such as why the council is introducing the new service, will their collection day change and where to leave bins for collection, as well as useful contacts for more information. Over the next few weeks the council will be contacting the homes it has identified as not being suitable for wheeled bins with details of their alternative arrangements.

David Dodds, Cabinet member for waste, says:

“As much as 80 per cent of what we throw away can be recycled, but at the moment we’re achieving about 44 per cent. Although very good, this shows there’s room for an improvement and we have to do better, not just to protect the environment but because we get charged for the amount we send to landfill – so the less we send the less we and ultimately taxpayers pay.

?One way we can do this is by collecting our food waste, which currently goes to landfill with our other rubbish, separately for composting. This together with our new and improved recycling service, means residents will be able to recycle glass and food and drink cartons like Tetra Paks from their home for the first time, which should make a massive difference to the amount we throw away.

?The leaflet that will be arriving through people’s letterboxes any day now called ?Why is my waste changing??, will explain as simply as possible how the new service will work and the key dates to help make the transition from old to new as smooth as possible.”