First move made towards reintroduction of weekly bin collections in Enfield

The new Conservative-led administration campaigned during the election on a promise of bringing back weekly bin rounds, reports James Cracknell

An Enfield bin lorry (credit Enfield Council)

Enfield Council will conduct an “immediate review” of the borough’s waste collections, it’s been announced.

The review will be conducted “with a view to bringing back weekly bin collections” as per the local Conservative Party’s pledge during this year’s election campaign.

In their election manifesto, Enfield Conservatives promised to “reintroduce weekly black and blue bin collections”, referring to both general waste and recycling.

These bins have been collected on a fortnightly basis since early 2020, when the previous Labour administration agreed on making big cutbacks to its waste services, with general waste and dry recycling since being collected on alternative weeks across the borough.

However, with the minority Tory administration potentially relying on support from the Greens to vote through any changes to collections, as well as the potentially high cost of any move needing to be assessed, the council is going ahead with a review before a final decision is made.

Earlier this year, during the election campaign, Labour and the Tories attacked each other over the cost of any potential changes to the council’s waste collections.

It remains unclear how much the return to weekly collections will end up costing taxpayers.

The review that is now going ahead will, according to the council, “explore the best options for moving from fortnightly to weekly collections of recycling and general household to improve recycling rates, reduce waste and improve the service residents receive”.

In an announcement today (Thursday 2nd), council leader Alessandro Georgiou said: “Residents expect cleaner streets, less fly-tipping and services they can rely on.

“They also want to see increased recycling and for processes to be simpler. That’s why we’re exploring the best options for introducing weekly bin collections to address these priorities.”

Enfield’s recycling rate currently stands at 32.9%, far below the borough’s target of 50%. At the time that weekly collections were previously in place locally, in 2019/20, the borough’s recycling rate was very similar, at 33%.

Going back further to 2013/14, however, the council achieved its best-ever recycling rate of 39.1%.

The council says its waste services review will look at “new measures to encourage recycling” and to help address the decline that has happened over the past twelve years.

The work will also assess the impact on vehicles, costs and the environment “to ensure a robust and deliverable plan is brought forward”.

Cllr Georgiou says this work is part of a “wider drive to improve the borough’s environment” and will deliver on the new administration’s manifesto commitments.

“Creating a cleaner Enfield is a key priority for this council,” he continued. “That means cleaner streets, less litter and fly-tipping, more recycling, and a better environment for everyone.”

Options under consideration include simplifying collection schedules.

Cllr Georgiou added: “Moving to weekly collections will require investment, but residents are clear they want cleaner neighbourhoods. By increasing recycling, reducing contamination and making the service easier to use, we can deliver real benefits for both residents and the environment.”

The council says that detailed work will now get underway to develop a full set of proposals. A report outlining the options, costs and recommendations will be brought to councillors in the autumn ahead of any final decision.

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

ACT NOW!

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.