2 October 2009, 09/225
Trial collection scheme to reduce bulky items going to
landfill
Even more unwanted household items could be recycled instead of
going to landfill under a new pilot scheme to be launched in West
Lancashire.
From the 19 October West Lancashire Community Recycling Service
will be taking over the collections side of the Council’s bulky
waste service, which will help the environment even more.
Residents will not notice a change because they will still have
to contact the Council to arrange to pick up the goods and pay for
the removal. However, it will be a West Lancashire Community
Recycling Service van (using the new name 3R’s) that will come to
collect the items.
The idea behind this new partnership is that they will have the
expertise to decide whether the unwanted furniture has the
potential to be reconditioned and recycled. Whereas, under the old
scheme the Council’s refuse and recycling collectors may have sent
some items straight to landfill if they looked as though they were
too damaged to be re-used.
Its also giving the taxpayer value for money because the Council
is using its resources wisely to deliver the best possible services
at the lowest possible cost - and helping the environment at the
same time.
Councillor Paul Greenall, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene,
said: "We have worked with West Lancashire Community Recycling
Service on a number of occasions and we value the work that they do
because we both share the same goals. I’m delighted that we have
forged this partnership and I’m sure that even more goods will be
recycled as a result because they are the experts when it comes to
knowing whether unwanted items can be reconditioned. It’s even
better for residents because they won’t notice any difference in
the service other than it being a different pick-up van."
It will be an initial trial for six months and if it is
successful it will be extended.
Maureen Fazal, one of the founders of West Lancashire Community
Recycling Service, said: "This is great news for us because it
shows that the Council recognises the good work that we do in the
community and is confident that we can deliver this service to a
high standard. It’s also helping us to achieve our ambitions of
providing quality used and re-conditioned furniture and other
domestic goods at low cost to people in need living in the borough
and reducing the amount of furniture and household goods ending up
in landfill."
If you have household rubbish that's too big for
your bin - like an old fridge, television, a mattress or a chair,
then contact the Council. You must pay for your bulky item
collection before a booking can be placed. Refunds cannot be
provided. You can do this online at www.westlanc.gov.uk/refuse or by phone on
01695 577177.
How much does it cost?
1 to 5 items = £13
6 to 10 items = £25.50
Over ten items = please call Customer Services on 01695 577177
for a quote
Your collection will be made on a specific day of the week
depending on where you live - you will be told your day at the time
of booking. Bookings are made a week in advance.
When you book your collection you need to tell us exactly which
items you want removed. Any items that are not accounted for will
not be collected.
Please make sure the items are outside your house, but still on
your property, by 7am on the day of collection. If you live in a
council flat, or a private flat within a council block, please do
not place items outside your front door, on the landings or in any
communal area before the morning of the collection (this is in
breach of tenancy conditions and fire regulations).
Related information