NEWS RELEASE
Date: 16 March 2007
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No adverse health impacts from alternate weekly collections
The first on-the-ground research into whether there are any adverse health effects associated with alternate week collection of waste for recycling and residual waste is published today.
The research finds no evidence of adverse health impacts with alternate week collections compared to weekly collections. The report concludes that common-sense measures, such as keeping waste tightly wrapped and bin lids closed, can help to deal with any potential increases in odour, insects, or other nuisance that could be associated with alternate weekly collections.
A literature review was followed by questions to residents, waste operatives and local authority waste managers in areas with weekly as well as alternate weekly collections. The survey was carried out in the winter and repeated in the summer to compare experiences.
Welcoming this research, Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw said:
"Collecting recyclables one week and residual waste the following week has increased the amount of recycling in places where this change has been made. Recycling is a vital part of our battle against dangerous climate change - the equivalent of taking three and a half million cars off our roads.
"The research showed that alternate weekly collections work best when the public are informed well in advance of any change".
Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Environment Board, said:
"Councils are on the frontline in the fight against climate change and working hard to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. Authorities introducing alternate bin collections make the decision based on what will work best in their unique local circumstances. Councils bringing in the scheme work with residents to make sure they know about the changes and how to dispose of their waste. As long as people use their bins properly, the system is efficient and hygienic.
" Local authorities are using every tool in their arsenal to make sure that council tax is kept down and the environment is protected. Alternate week collection is one of those tools. It is proven to increase the amount of recycling achieved and reduce the level of waste sent to landfill."
The report's lead authors Mark Broomfield and Jonathan Davies of Enviros commented:
"We welcome the opportunity to work with Defra, local authorities and Cranfield University on this challenging study. We hope that householders will be reassured by our findings, and that our work will contribute to the ongoing improvement in recycling of household waste."
Notes to editors
'Health Impact Assessment of Alternate Week Waste Collections of Biodegradable Waste' was commissioned by South East Waste Advisory Group and funded by Defra's Waste Implementation Programme (WIP). It was carried out by Enviros Consulting Ltd and Cranfield University. The report can be accessed at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/index.htm.
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Page published: 16 March 2007