Does the Minister consider it appropriate that councils are proposing four weekly bin collections to improve recycling?
As more of the material generated by householders is collected for recycling and as services have expanded to collect a wider range of recycled material, it leads to less residual waste being generated. It is therefore sensible that Local Authorities adjust residual waste collections accordingly.
The evidence also shows that less frequent residual waste collection is effective in supporting the uptake of recycling services, which leads to the more effective capture of important material back into the economy. It is therefore entirely appropriate that the frequency of residual waste collection is considered by Local Authorities alongside wider measures to improve their recycling collection service as they work to reach the 70% recycling target for 2024/25.