Centralisation of bin collections to be considered

The government intends for an updated strategy to run from 2025 to 2035

The introduction of a centralised bin service in favour of the current Isle of Man local authority run collections will be considered as part of proposals for a 10-year waste strategy.

A four-week consultation on the future of waste services also includes reuse and recycling, incineration and landfill.

Responses are set to feed into the development of an Isle of Man Waste Strategy, which would run from 2025 to 2035.

Infrastructure Minister Tim Crookall said the department was "looking at ways to improve what is currently done" in a bid to reduce costs and "maximise recycling".

The consultation asks for views on the way waste is dealt with across households, business, agriculture and industry.

Household waste services including whether collections are every one or two weeks, kerbside collection of recyclables, and an assessment of whether current civic amenity site services vary depending on the local authority area also feature in the document.

The proposals suggest a centralised hub for waste recycling and the potential centralisation of household waste collections could "reduce costs, standardise household waste services and increase recycling through economies of scale".

Savings outlined include optimising collection routes and vehicles, powering bin lorries with zero or low emission fuel sources, and bulking up recyclables to get the best market values and economise export costs.

'Robust and coherent'

The proposals also suggest the use of facilities such as the energy from waste plant in Douglas should be reviewed to "ensure they continue to provide public value".

Mr Crookall said establishing a "robust and coherent" waste strategy held an opportunity to "lay firm foundations for future generations living and working in the Isle of Man".

The consultation is available online until 30 September 2024.