Now weekly collections in Hull could be binned

In only two days 4,000 people have responded to a questionnaire over the frequency of bin collections in Hull.

The consultation is still going on and the result is unknown but officers say peoples’ attitudes have changed since they have been able to recycle more.

Neighbouring East Riding Council has seen its recycling rates hit record levels following a trial of fortnightly bin collections.

Hull Council’s assistant head of service with responsibility for waste and open spaces Doug Sharp said: “It is a service that affects everybody so I am not surprised we have had such a significant response in such a short space of time. Since we implemented the new blue and brown scheme in 2009/2010, feedback from residents suggests growing support for a change in the frequency of waste collections.”

The city now has a recycling rate of 49 per cent – double the amount recycled three years ago. Just 10 years ago only seven per cent of waste was recycled.

More than half of local authorities now have fortnightly general waste collections.

In Hull people are being asked whether they want collections to remain the same as they are now, or whether they want a fortnightly blue bin and a fortnightly black bin for refuse, or a weekly blue and a fortnightly black bin.

East Riding Council has said results from their own trials have been “phenomenal.”

The 7,000 households taking part in the trial recycled on average 67 per cent of their waste last month, in comparison to an area average of 54 per cent, the highest rate achieved in the area since records began 10 years ago.

The council is now extending the trial to include parts of Driffield, Molescroft, Goole, Burstwick, Bridlington, Shiptonthorpe, Hayton, Burnby and Londesborough.