Bin collection changes in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire after review
Bin collections will change for households in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire to improve efficiency and allow workers to take part in a four-day week trial.
Collections will change for around 104,000 residents - about 80 per cent of households in the area - from Monday, September 18.
Letters will be posted to every affected household to confirm their new collection arrangements.
Cllr Rosy Moore, executive councillor for climate action and environment at Cambridge City Council, said: “We want to make sure that we deliver services in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. Reviewing the current collections allows us to do that whilst allowing the bin crews to partake in the four-day week trial.
“These changes will mean that some residents will go through a transition period to adapt to their new collection date. All changes have been made with the aim of making the bin rounds as efficient as possible, whilst minimising disruption for residents wherever we can. Affected residents will receive direct communication of how these changes will impact them ahead of time.
“Both Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire have grown in the past five years, and we know both areas will continue to experience growth in the future, so by making these changes now we are positioning ourselves to be able to continue to deliver our waste collection service to the highest standard, in a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective way.”
The changes follow a review of bin rounds and take into account new homes that have been built across the area.
The frequency of collections will remain fortnightly with bins emptied on alternative weeks. Initially, some residents may find they have two consecutive weeks of the same colour bins being emptied as the new schedule is introduced.
Cllr Henry Batchelor, lead cabinet member for environmental services at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “It’s important to ensure that, as new homes are built across the area, bin rounds are as even and efficient as they can be. We don’t want any rounds to get too big as this would only lead to disruption.
“We have carefully considered how routes operate as we continue to replace our older diesel trucks with new electric ones and those powered by alternative fuels, such as biofuels. Additionally, only collecting bins over four days will mean an end to having to remember how bin days are affected by the many bank holidays that fall on a Monday through the year.
“We are writing to all residents that will have a change in bin collection arrangements and will keep our website and social media channels updated. We are producing printed information and signs, to help spread the word amongst communities and parish councils.”
Cambridge residents can visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/binchanges for further details and South Cambridgeshire residents can visit www.scambs.gov.uk/binchanges.
