Bins blitz praised as Walsall residents get message
The number of bins 'contaminated' with the wrong kind of rubbish has almost halved in the last year, following a controversial recycling crackdown, it has emerged.
Bin men were ordered not to collect rubbish which contained the wrong kind of items for recycling as part of a zero-tolerance approach by Walsall Council.
It was launched in November 2012 and led to thousands of bins not being collected across the borough.
Latest figures reveal from July 2013 to June 2014 there were 41,151 reports of contaminated bins. This compared to of 78,589 during the same period for the previous year.
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Council chiefs say the number of bins found with the wrong kind of waste is now less than one per cent.
Concerns were raised at the start of the start of the recycling crackdown when officers, dubbed 'bin inspectors', began checking green bins for the wrong items.
Those found to contain things such as food, nappies and household waste received a yellow sticker and were not emptied, sparking a flurry of complaints from angry residents.
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The council said it had been forced to take a stand after a drop in the recycling rate, meaning more tax payers cash was being spent sending rubbish to landfill.
Environment chief, councillor Chris Towe said they were striving to reduce the the amount of contaminated bins even further.
"While contamination is unacceptable it is important to look at the figures in context," he said. "In total we empty bins weekly from more than 100,000 properties which amounts to more than 11 million collections per year of household rubbish, recycling and garden waste.
"Contamination is found in less than one per cent of the total number of bins we empty throughout the year.
"What I do want to stress is the need for residents to take responsibility for the disposal of their rubbish correctly.
"Contamination reduces the recycling rate thereby driving down income and increasing costs which ultimately has an impact on our residents as taxpayers.
"We appreciate mistakes can happen but would urge anyone who is unsure to check the list of what can and can't be recycled."
It is not the only time the council's bin policy has come under fire with residents who have a container stolen, lost or vandalised having to fork out an £18.50 replacement fee.
