Thousands air views on 'disastrous' recycling bags

Residents in Basildon have to divide recycling into separate bags for fortnightly collection

Almost 6,000 residents have voiced their views on a "disastrous" recycling scheme at the halfway point of a consultation into a town's waste management plans.

The consultation, launched in Basildon on 5 August, asked householders their thoughts on a new recycling scheme.

The current system - introduced in November when the council was under Conservative control - includes a fortnightly collection and requires residents to separate their own recycling into provided sacks.

Gavin Callaghan, the Labour leader of Basildon Council, said he wanted to scrap the "disastrous bin system".

The consultation, which includes options to return to weekly collections for non-recyclable waste, ends on 29 September and has already garnered 5,900 responses.

'Deeply unhappy'

The changes made last year by the Conservatives were aimed at boosting recycling rates, but sparked complaints - and an independent councillor claimed festering waste was putting public health at risk.

Councillor Aidan McGurran, cabinet member for environment and leisure, said: "I had no doubt the resident response to this consultation would be incredible - but it is fantastic to see how many have contributed in the first four weeks.

"Our residents have made it clear they are deeply, deeply unhappy with the present waste collection system but it is very gratifying to see that it is translating into levels of engagement we have never seen before.

"This week marks the half-way point of the consultation, and we urge all residents to have their say to help us create a waste and recycling service that they truly want.

"We are listening and we will act on what the consultation tells us."

The overview and scrutiny committee meeting on 4 September will focus on the decisions and circumstances which resulted in the ordering and delivery to residents of the recycling bags.

The meeting comes as plans are being drawn up to bring back weekly bin collections and simplify recycling across Basildon, at a cost of £3m to the council.