MID Devon councillors have rubber-stamped arrangements for new three-weekly bin collections.

Starting in October, the “Bin It 123” service will mean food waste is still collected each week, recycling and garden waste collections every two weeks, but non-recyclable black bag waste every three weeks.

Initial go-ahead was given for the new timetable in February, following trials last year in both urban and rural areas of the district including Holcombe Rogus and Canal Hill in Tiverton.

The council says the results were “favourable with significant increases to recycling rates” and that moving to three-weekly collections will help the district reduce its carbon footprint and hit net zero status in the future.

Mid Devon adds it is committed to increase recycling rates to 60 per cent by 2025 and 65 per cent by 2035 in line with both Devon and national targets. Currently the rate is around 53 per cent – a figure that has “remained fairly static for a number of years”.

New black wheelie bins for non-recyclable waste are being given to all households. Residents who struggle to fit all their waste in them can ask for an extra bin.

Households that don’t have room for a wheelie bin, such as if they have no outside space or have steps leading to their property, can ask for reusable, extra-strong anti-seagull sacks.

Devon’s number one district for recycling is currently East Devon on 60 per cent – the only authority currently on three-weekly waste collections. It also collects recycling weekly.

Mid Devon will continue fortnightly recycling collections but a report will be presented later this year on how a weekly service could be implemented, following a suggestion at a recent cabinet meeting.

Asking the cabinet to rubber-stamp arrangements for the new service, portfolio holder for the environment and climate change, Councillor Colin Slade (Conservative, Lowman) said it is “important that we do this for a number of reasons.”

“My main priority with my climate change hat on is obviously to improve our carbon footprint by increasing our recycling towards the target of 60 per cent, which we hope to achieve and also to reduce the residual black bag waste.

“Also, as a benefit, there is a financial incentive in that we will make a saving of around £160,000 a year. That is offset against an initial investment on the cost of the bins, which we are now issuing to residents, and that rollout is now well underway.”

Cllr Slade said the cost had increased because of extra communications with residents, who have been sent letters informing them of the changes. Printed hangers will also accompany the new bins.

He added the council should recoup its investment within “six or seven years and thereafter obviously it’s an ongoing saving. And by that time, we should have reached our recycling targets.”

The cost of the change is estimated to be £890,000, including £750,000 for buying bins and anti-seagull sacks and delivering them to properties.

Long-term savings are projected to be around £160,000 a year, which doesn’t include the potential extra revenue from more recycling being collected and sold.

The roll out of the new scheme will commence on Monday, October 10.

More information on the new service is at: www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/recycling-rubbish/bin-it-123/ .

Ollie Heptinstall

LDRS