Wirral Council has defended its decision to collect green bin waste fortnightly

Sep 23 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Council says the borough’s controversial move to fortnightly collections for green bins has saved taxpayers £4.8m.

Over the summer concerned readers who wrote to the News complained the time between collections had resulted in them finding maggots in their bins.

But the council says fortnightly collections are a must in order to comply with strict EU regulations and avoid rising landfill costs.

Wirral introduced the new system in 2007, which sees green bins, which take all non-recyclable waste, are collected one week, and grey bins the next week.

One reader, Kathy Musker, of Greasby, was told she was the only person out of the 6,600 people in her ward to have contacted her local councillor this year complaining about the collections.

Cllr Jean Quinn, cabinet member for Streetscene and Transport Services, told the News: “Due to the small number of complaints and the current financial climate we cannot prioritise weekly bin collections.

“But if people do have maggots it is important to remember they are not a health hazard, even though they are very unpleasant.

“Saying this, there are ways of avoiding getting them by wrapping up food, disinfecting your bin, keeping it in the shade and making sure your bin isn’t broken.”

Dave Green, director of Wirral technical services added: “Wirral Council’s decision to start alternate weekly collections was not taken lightly and has saved the council (and the taxpayer) approximately £4.8m since it was introduced two years ago.”

Kathy, a nurse, says she is now planning to start a campaign to see how many Wirral residents want to see the return of weekly collections.

She said: “I cannot believe I am in the minority who have a problem with fortnightly collections.”

What do you think? Is Kathy right? Should bins be emptied every week? Vote in our online poll at www.wirralnews.co.uk, write to Letters, Wirral News, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB or e-mail newsdesk@wirralnews.co.uk