Green light given for joint waste contract proposals

Warwick District Council’s Executive has agreed proposals for a joint waste  contract with Stratford District Council.

At a meeting on 17 November, Councillors gave the go ahead to start a procurement process to combine the refuse and recycling services.

The new contract which would commence in summer 2022 will include the introduction of commingled recycling collections as part of a joint 123+ service, with the aim of encouraging recycling and reducing the amount of waste sent for disposal.

The move follows agreement by Stratford District Council’s Cabinet earlier this month.

Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services Councillor Moira-Ann Grainger commented;

“The joint waste service is a significant step as we continue to build closer working arrangements with our neighbours and will bring benefits to residents across both districts. Currently recycling rates in both Stratford and Warwick Districts exceed the Government’s target of 50%. However, by moving to a 123+ system with weekly food waste collections, a simpler two weekly process for collecting recycling and three weekly non-recyclable waste collections we hope to improve these figures even further.”

Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Alan Rhead added;

“A combined service also goes hand in hand with both Councils’ commitment to tacking the issues around climate change and the environment. The new contract will bring with it more efficient vehicles and smarter routing as well as changes to food waste collection processes which will reduce the volume of harmful greenhouse gases entering our waste streams.”