Residents are receiving letters about the new recycling arrangements that will operate in Brent from October 1st.
Here are the details as they appear on the Council website:
The recycling collection changes will start from 1 October 2023How you recycle and what you put your recyclable items in, is going to change later this year. This aims to reduce our impact on the environment, by increasing the amount of recycling we do in the borough and improving the quality of what we recycle.
What is changing
From 1 October 2023 you will need to separate your paper and cardboard out from your other recyclable items and place them in your new blue sack.
You should carry on using your blue-lidded recycling bin for all other mixed recycling (glass, cans, plastics and cartons).
All households, who currently have their own blue-lidded recycling bin, will shortly receive a free weatherproof and durable 90-litre blue sack for paper and cardboard items.
Your blue sack will be delivered ahead of collections starting. It will be left outside your property in a convenient place and a flyer will come through the door. Do not put it out for collection until the changes take affect on 1 October.
If you use communal shared bins (often those who live in flats), you will not receive a blue sack and should continue to recycle paper and cardboard in the same way.
How to use the blue recycling sack
- Place any carboard and paper in the blue recycling sack ahead of your collection date.
- Seal the sack using the Velcro-strapped lid on all three opening sides to protect the contents.
- Before 7am on the scheduled collection day, put your sacks as close to the street as possible (where you would usually place your recycling bin).
- If your blue recycling sack becomes full, you can put any excess paper and card in a bundle next to the sack on your collection day.
The sack can be folded and stored inside when not in use or kept outside by your other bins where there is space to do so.
Collection times
You will still receive a weekly recycling collection service – however, your sack and your blue-lidded bin will be collected on alternate weeks. We will provide you with a full calendar detailing your new service in September 2023, ahead of the changes.
Frequently asked questions
I currently receive assistance with my waste collections. Will this continue?
Yes. Assisted collections will continue as normal. Your blue sack should be presented and put back in the same place as your other bins.What happens if my blue sack collection is missed?
Your blue recycling sack can be collected at any time up to 10pm on the day it is due to be collected. Do not report a missed bin before this time.
Please do not place paper and card in your blue-lidded bin, as collections crews will not collect these bins on the same week as the blue sack.
Can I order more blue sacks for paper and card?
We hope the size should be enough for your needs, if after use, you do need an additional sack, these can be ordered online and will need approving.
New small items collection service
From 1 October we will also be launching a free bookable small items collection, including:
- Textiles
- Small electricals
- Batteries
- Paint
- Coffee pods
We will provide more information closer to the date.
Some residents have asked about the blue sack's dimensions - the capacity is 90 litres and the internal dimensions are 36 x 42 x 60 cms.
Contaminated card and paper (such as pizza boxes with residual food) should be put in the grey waste bin.
As stated on the website for those with high rates of cardboard, perhaps because of a high number of deliveries due to immobolity, extra bags can be ordered. I assume this will also apply to households who read a large number of newspapers.
One family who took part in the initial pilot said:
We gave feedback that it was really
difficult to undertake. We have an overcrowded kitchen & have nowhere to
put another bag. Already sorting organic food waste, general recycling and
normal bin! Apart from space who has the time?! We support recycling but this
is unworkable!Another commented:
I think if you get one large
appliance delivered the card won't fit and will end up in the grey bin. In my
household I suspect we would fill several in an average week, especially as so
much of purchases are delivered nowadays. I do want to recycle, but I think
this won't work. I wonder if Brent has tested it anywhere. I also wonder if
water will get in the top when it's stacked outside.
A problem for us is that there is no space in
the house to keep it. (I live with a hoarder) Once it's outside it could get
filled of rainwater. According to the website you can seal the lid of the bag against rainwater but I suppose that may not be possible if a large amount of cardboard protrudes. The new system was tested in a pilot and there was a consultation that was challenged at Sccrutiny Call-in. LINK
The trial of a fourth bin in appropriate households, instead of a sack, has been postponed until September 2024. LINK
The introduction of a bookable small item collection seemed to be positively received but one respondent pointed out that this would put an additional vehicle on the road.
Brent Council kindly provided some further information on these points and other issues:
With regards to additional recycling, the crews will collect large cardboard items left beside the blue sack. It’s also worth noting that with the paper and cardboard removed from the blue lidded recycling bin, there will be extra capacity in the recycling bin for more containers.
Residents will be able to request additional blue sacks but it is important to note that requests will be assessed prior to approval.
Regarding the vehicle for the small items collection service, the service will be combined with the clinical waste collections so there will not be an extra vehicle. Even if an extra vehicle is required in future the environmental benefits arising from the diversion of these items from general waste will greatly outweigh the environmental impact of their transportation.
Here is some further information which you might find helpful:
We considered a range of factors in deciding to roll out the blue sack from 1 October to all kerbside households in Brent, and I have set these out below.
Firstly, we took into account the results of the trial itself, which saw an increase in usage with the sack from 50% in the first week to 71% in the eighth week, with an exceptionally low contamination rate of 1% (i.e. wrong material put in the sack). The trial indicated that we will achieve a higher recycling rate with these changes, which will be both better for the environment and help the council save money to protect vital services for our most vulnerable residents.
Secondly, the overall success of the trial was borne out by the results of a survey that a market research company carried out on our behalf in February, with 10% of households that participated in the trial (500 households). The key findings of the survey were:
· Almost three quarters of households interviewed said they strongly engaged with the recycling trial (73%)
· More people were satisfied with the trial than those who were not – more than a third (36%) rated the recycling trial as good or excellent; a quarter (24%) rated their experience as poor or very poor
· More than 8 in every 10 felt informed about how to participate in the trial and agreed it was clear what materials needed to be separated
· Three quarters (73%) agreed the process of separating the recycling materials was easy
· Better facilities, a better general experience, an easier process and waterproof bags would have improved residents experience of the trial
· Weather was the main challenge with storing the sack
· More than half (55%) agreed they would continue to use the sacks to separate recycling if the trial becomes permanent; a quarter (27%) disagreed they would continue with the scheme
Thirdly, we have listened to the feedback received both during the trial and from the survey and significantly improved the specification of the sack as a result.
The improved sack will provide an additional 20% capacity (the key size difference is the extra 6 cms on the width of the container), the material is much thicker and therefore more durable and it has an overlapping lid on all three sides which means it is fully waterproof when sealed.
These changes align with the main suggestions for improvements from respondents to the survey. Many trial residents felt that the sacks needed to be waterproof, made of a stronger material and that they should be bigger.
FOLLOWING A QUESTION TO THE COUNCIL VIA NEXT DOOR REGARDING BAGS BEING BLOWN AWAY OR LOST, BRENT COUNCIL REPLIED:
The blue sack is weighted at the bottom to avoid it being blown away and is further weatherproof to protect the contents inside. All collection crews will be given training on handling the blue sacks, ensuring they are replaced back on the correct position at each property, along with refuse/food waste containers.
If a resident’s paper and card sack was to go astray, we will replace it free of charge with a new one within 7 working days where possible.
35 comments:
Worse service
I am deeply disappointed with Brent's new recycling system and the way it is being implemented. While the stated goal of reducing environmental impact through increased recycling may seem noble, the approach taken by the Council raises serious concerns and reflects the limitations of Brent Labour’s capitalist-oriented environmental policies.
First and foremost, the new system appears to burden residents with additional responsibilities and inconveniences. Separating paper and cardboard from other recyclables and using a separate blue sack may seem like a small change, but for households with limited space or accessibility issues, it becomes a significant challenge. The Council's disregard for the realities faced by families living in overcrowded conditions or with hoarding issues is symptomatic of a system that prioritises bureaucratic efficiency over the well-being of its citizens.
Moreover, the Council's reliance on market research and surveys to justify the new recycling system reflects the capitalist tendency to prioritise the interests of the majority over the needs of the marginalized. While it may be true that some households found the trial to be acceptable, the fact that a substantial percentage expressed dissatisfaction and raised legitimate concerns should not be ignored. The needs and voices of those who struggle with the new system should not be overshadowed by a focus on achieving higher recycling rates and cost savings.
The introduction of the bookable small items collection service is another problematic aspect of the system. While it may be touted as a positive addition, the potential for an additional vehicle on the road contradicts the Council's supposed commitment to environmental sustainability. This highlights the contradictions inherent in a capitalist approach to environmental issues, where short-term gains and band-aid solutions are prioritized over more systemic and transformative measures.
Furthermore, the Council's decision to postpone the trial of a fourth bin for appropriate households until September 2024 demonstrates a lack of urgency in addressing the environmental challenges we face. Delaying potential solutions for another year indicates a reluctance to tackle the root causes of waste and pollution, favoring incremental changes that may not be sufficient in the long run.
As a Marxist, I firmly believe that meaningful change requires a radical transformation of the entire socio-economic system. The current capitalist framework, driven by profit motives and corporate interests, is ill-equipped to address the environmental crisis effectively. Instead of placing the burden on individuals and households, a truly socialist approach would focus on collective responsibility, equitable distribution of resources, and systemic changes that promote sustainability and environmental justice for all.
Labour’s new recycling system is emblematic of the shortcomings of capitalist environmental policies, where bureaucratic efficiency and cost savings take precedence over the well-being of citizens and the planet. I condemn this approach and call for a fundamental transformation of our society to address environmental challenges in a more equitable and sustainable manner.
As Martin mentioned the original proposals on recycling and street cleaning changes were 'called in' to Scrutiny by the Lib Dem Group. The reaction from the public during the trial was not as rosy as the Council tries to suggest - residents had genuine concerns about the sacks.
Councillors from all sides expressed concerns.
The Lib Dem group proposed that residents be given a choice of either a sack or another wheelie bin for paper and cardboard. As collection of paper/cardboard as against cans, bottles and plastic will be on alternative weeks (a fortnightly collection for each) some households could swap the existing large wheelie bin for two smaller ones.
In response the Council decided to put aside the money for extra wheelie bins but as Martin also reports the review and consideration of providing bins in place of sacks has now been put off presumably in the hope that the choice will be forgotten.
Lets hope that the change to recycling does not cause the same problems as the switch of parking permit system which caused chaos and confusion for many local residents.
While attention is on recycling the cuts to street sweeping and the introduction of the so called "intelligence" led sweeping is of course
not mentioned by the Council.
Has anyone even taken into consideration the very real high risk of fires causing deaths. As households will now have to store so much paper in their homes for two weeks. Especially as a lot of young people now seem to be using electric scooters which have caused fires.
Brent leadership teams be warned any deaths caused by storing so much paper will be down to your ill thought out ideas.
The key word here is PILOT. The findings from a survey carried out following a pilot will always find it a success.
If Brent genuinely wanted to find out about the success or not they should have carried out a TRIAL!
We have a grey bin
Who do they think they're kidding?
All other Local Authorities which surround Brent i.e Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing and Barnet, all have MIXED recycling that is collected WEEKLY, by using Designated Coloured Bin or Recycle Clear Plastic Bags. Along with GENERAL WASTE is collected WEEKLY.
So in Bent, Recycling moves to fortnightly collections, alternate weeks for paper/card and then for cans/bottles etc.
Good news for all the thousands of people that live in Flats, they don't need to bother to separate anything, the new scheme does not apply to them, sames as other boroughs, they use designated Bins, for MIXED recyling.
The wording suggests you are being "Asked" to separate card/paper from other recycling, it's not compulsory, so why bother?
In response to Anon @ 09.41
You forgot to mention that Grey General Waste Bins are now supplied at 140 Litres much smaller than the original 240 Litres and are consistently inadequate for collection every 2 weeks, so what we do is wait for the Collection Day and throw are excessive 3 black bags directly into the Truck, as if we leave them at the side of our bins, they are not taken, but put into the Grey Bin once it has been emptied.......doh! which means they are full again, ready for the next collection in 2 weeks time, it makes no sense whatsoever. Our Blue bin is full to the max every week.
Has no one a good word for this farcical Brent decision?
Residents in houses have to do all this while there are huge industrial size bins outside flats and local restaurants and bars completely overflowing with unsorted rubbish all attracting rats - how is this allowed?????????????????
It should be our responsibility to sort out the different types of items that can be recycled. If the Nords can do it, I am sure those in the UK can muster some brain cells, even more so in Brent. Change is hard, old timers. But tough.
Umm
They did a survey after the trial. I wonder how many people were canvassed
The decision to give veolia the contract should be audited with a fine toothcomb
What containers are the Nords provided with???
You need to recycle better. You can not be serious that you fill up a grey bin with non recyclable materials
Our recycling bin gets full of cardboard. It wont fit in a little bag
It seems to me the results of the survey could be seen to be quite negative - 27% said they won't continue.
Every household will be different but we barely fill our grey or blue (or green) bins each week and I would say cardboard and paper account for a large proportion of the blue, and that the blue is only every filled substantially when we do have a large amount of cardboard for more or larger packages. Extra capacity isn't needed in blue bin for other containers. We are keen to minimise waste and recycle but I expect that we would tend to put the cardboard in grey bin once this is introduced.
Brent should also factor in extra collections around Christmas, when there will be a lot more surplus packaging.
Veolia are going to need more training.
Will they return
an empty blue bag and where will it be left. If outside on a windy and wet day what then ?
Brent has not thought of it properly. I think the present set up is fine. As for large items it should be four large items a year free. Brent and it’s councillors should be concentrating on other issues like roads, pavements and the state of the High Streets. Urgently .
They did. We took part in it for many weeks and struggled.
A full sack is really heavy and has to be dragged.
No-one asked us for feedback, so I wonder who Brent spoke to for their market research....
So glass, cans, plastics and cartons in the blue bin and paper and cardboard items in the blue sack.
Sure this is the wrong way round as the volume of paper and cardboard is in most cases going to be larger?
So glass, cans, plastics and cartons in the blue bin and paper and cardboard items in the blue sack.
Sure this is the wrong way round as the volume of paper and cardboard is in most cases going to be larger?
We are a 3 storey block of 6 flats. Do I understand we are exempt from this ,& if so will our blue bins still get emptied weekly as they do get full ,,?
Most of my neighbours already struggle to properly use the blue bins and don't bother with the green food waste ones. Veolia don't always empty our green food waste bin and when its employees do empty them (correctly and without spilling food every where), they fling them back on the ground damaging them and have ignored my requests to treat them with more care. Veolia will end up littering the streets further with paper in bags. They try to work at record speed already. Neighbours will not know how to to use the new system and/or just not bother. Nor will I use it until forced - not because i don't think it is a good idea, but because of how Veolia and Brent have behaved with green and blue bins. Follow the rules and you are treated with disdain; break them and life is easier. That is the reality living in Brent under a Labour led council.
I think Brent should be more transparent about how much of our collected refuse and refuse taken to the recycling centre is actually recycled.
I think this is a tacit admission that what we are separating for home collection just isn't getting recycled properly and never has been. J'accuse!
If paper and cardboard gets wet in these sacks it can't be recycled anyway as the moisture damages the fibres and it could clog up the processing machines.
This has not been properly thought through nor properly trialled.
I am just witnessing Veolia collecting our Blue Bins Mixed Recycling, I live in Block of 4 Flats we have 3 Blue Bins, they are only collecting 2 as 1 remains empty(probably as the occupants of 1 flat have been on holiday for the past 2 weeks). As flats we are exempt from the new scheme and will not receive Sacks.
The next neighbour which is a property of 1 x 5 bed home, and 1 x 3 bed home shares 3 Blue Mixed Recycling Bins, all are full to the brim, and all 3 have just been collected Weekly as per the current contract. They will no doubt receive 2 x new Sacks. I wait to see how this will work at the end of August.
Yet another waste of money it wont work the bag will slung up the drive or blown down the road l have not got the room indoors to keep it and yet you sat flats wont need to do it crazy why not spend the money keeping out streets clean this will just in courage rats no more words its BRENT all over.
Bearing in mind this not the first time they have changed their minds we had green boxes for waste with no lids on where all the rubbish blow in the wind and just chucked up the drive before we had the blue bins they need to stop waste council tax money the most stupid idea yet it wont work
The new system will not be adhered to, more paper and card will just be put into the general waste bin or dumped on our streets.
Why are people in flats, including student accomodation, not forced to recycle too? All the hundreds of new developments should certainly have been built with proper recycling facilities 😠
It says "If your blue recycling sack becomes full, you can put any excess paper and card in a bundle next to the sack on your collection day." - if it's raining or frosty or even foggy the bundle of excess paper and cardboard will get wet and then it can't be recycled 😞
If all flats (of which there are now Thousands, especially in Wembley) are exempt from using Sacks, and their Recycling will continue to be mixed, so will need to be sorted after collection. Even though collection will go to Fortnightly, will still be the same amount of recycling.
How is this a cost saving exercise?
Can anyone explain this is real money terms?
Does this mean job losses?
As a previous commentator said that all other Councils that surround Brent are not implementing this system, how can Brent say they are ahead of the game?
I’ve been diligently recycling for many years and I don’t mind separating the cardboard and paper, however I live in an upstairs flat and will have to leave the bag outside because it tends to rain a lot and I don’t want to have to bring a wet dirty bag up my carpeted stairs into a carpeted flat. They should have just issued us another outdoor recycle bin.
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