Food waste services back in Sandwell
Food waste services are back in Sandwell this week, along with a trial of new street cleaning equipment.
It comes after a report published last month by Sandwell Council into the performance of Serco – the outsourcing company responsible for Sandwell’s collections – said it could “default” on its contract with Serco if significant improvements were not made.
The report found Serco’s contract with the council to be “deeply unsatisfactory” and stated “urgent action” was needed to improve bin collections, according to comments by councillors at an economy, skills, transport and environment scrutiny board last month.
The recommendations listed in the report included the reintroduction of food waste collections, paused initially due to the pandemic.
Serco holds a 25-year contract for waste and recycling services in Sandwell. The contract, established in November 2010, is estimated to be worth £650 million, and will end by 2035.
But the Hampshire-based company has found itself in trouble with Sandwell Council over increased complaints from residents over fly-tipping, lack of collections and waiting delays at household recycling centres.
From today, Sandwell’s food waste, brown bin, collections were restarting across the borough.
Councillor Ahmad Bostan, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “We are delighted that food waste collections are restarting. This is real boost to recycling collections for our residents. The food waste collection service will provide a much better end-use for all of our leftover food, which in turn supports our environment.”
Tony Marston, Serco’s senior contract manager, said: “If you don’t have an indoor kitchen caddy you can always reuse something from around the home – like an old ice cream tub – to keep in your kitchen.
“Remember to use newspaper or kitchen roll to line the container to help keep your brown bin clean. Alternatively, you can buy compostable liners from most major retailers.”
Meanwhile, a new pilot for cleaning Sandwell’s streets with high-tech equipment has started this week. A new compact sweeper will be used to clean town centre pavements and a new street vacuum will be used to pick up smaller litter.
The two vehicles will be used across all town centres in Sandwell and, if proved successful, Serco will invest in further vehicles to help keep the borough’s streets clean.
Council Leader Kerrie Carmichael said: “These new additions for the street cleansing team will help keep the streets of our town centres clean and free from litter.
“Obviously, we would prefer people to use the bins provided or take rubbish home rather than litter our streets.
“We want our town centres to be vibrant places for the community and inviting so that people return again and again.”
Investment in new street cleaning equipment also joins 18 of Sandwell’s waste fleet being replaced, according to the council.
Councillor Carmichael added: “We have some of the best waste and recycling collection services in the country and still maintain a weekly collection for general waste, recycling and food waste and a free fortnightly collection of garden waste.”
More information can be found at sandwell.gov.uk/foodwaste
