Three week bin collections a ‘consideration’ but monthly collections would be ‘step to far’ – as recycle icon Michael retires

Black bin collections across Wrexham could be reduced from fortnightly in the future to help hit recycling targets, with it noted the move would not be about saving cash.

The suggestion was mooted by Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment and transport at a homes and environment scrutiny committee earlier this week.

Councillors had been asked to discuss the progress made locally to improve recycling rates, which currently stand at 65.4 per cent.

In recent years there has been a drive to encourage residents to recycle their household rates, with a particular focus in recent months on the use of food caddies.

Residents have also been asked to use their black bins less and to ensure that their waste is disposed of in the correct recycling box.

It all features as part of a move to hit the Welsh Government’s statutory target of 70 per cent by 2025.

Cllr Bithell explained that although Wales is second in the world in terms of its recycling levels, in order to hit targets there may be a need for Wrexham Council to look at how it delivers services in the future.

Cllr Paul Blackwell queried if the difficult decision that may have to be made involves going down the road of monthly residual collections in order to meet targets.

In response Cllr Bithell told the committee that the council was trying to educate the public about what they can recycle and encourage them to use their boxes and food caddies.

He added: “We will have to consider at some stage if we want to make a fundamental change like Conwy. I am not not advocating that this council goes four weekly as the reality is I don’t think I would support four weekly collections personally, I think it is a step too far.

“But members will have to consider it at some stage, is whether we do go to three weekly collections.

“It is not about saving money, it is about making that step change to reduce the waste and increasing recycling.”

However Cllr Graham Rogers said he would not support a change to three weekly collection, arguing that it would increase fly tipping in the area.

Cllr Bithell noted that no decision about changes to bin collections had been made and that he was “merely responding to a question from Cllr Blackwell”.

He added: “I was answering the question honestly that we do have to look outside the box. But I will not make that decision, that will be for this council

“This is part of the journey. I will not be making the decision but officers may recommend in the future that we consider it.”

Reference was also made to the local legend Recycle With Michael – a scheme which was rolled out locally in the early 2000s to help encourage households to recycle their household waste.

At the time Wrexham was one of the worst performing councils in Wales, with recycling rates of just three per cent.

Cllr Alun Jenkins said asked if it was possible for Michael to be brought back and feature as part of a new campaign to promote recycling in Wrexham.

Cllr Jenkins continued: “Recycle with Michael and the events were instrumental in changing people’s attitudes. There needs to be a message about what happens when things are recycled.

“One problem we have got is that things seem to be slipping back. People get very disillusioned with what they here about recycling and things being put in holes in ground.

“A lot of properties in my area where there is no recycling takes place. We need to work with landlords so the message gets through to tenants so we are not needing to dump things that can be easily recycled

“If we don’t recycle going to have to pay these fines and it is going to be more costly.”

Perhaps taking inspiration from our recent April Fool’s, which proposed that three Wrexham ‘icons’ (Robbie Savage, Tim Vincent and Council Leader Mark Pritchard) were turned into statues, Cllr Bithell said said that there had been talk earlier in the week of a straw poll to bring Michael back.

Sadly despite a lot of people being brought up with the scheme, it seems that Micheal has retired from standing near the bin and wearing his baseball cap.

Cllr Bithell said: “The Welsh Government are going to lead on a national campaign and we have bought into that. They are looking bringing some high profile people to front it.

“We may look at some personalities in Wrexham fronting our campaign, it could be a footballer who might front it.

“Sometimes when someone fronts a campaign people take more notice of it.”

Top pic: Michael recycling.