1.1 In July 2000 Environment Committee approved two area based alternate weekly collection trials.

1.2 Last summer also saw the start of a voluntary trial within the district which now involves approximately 120 residents who operate the alternate weekly system.

1.3 From information recently received from these residents by questionnaire all seems to be going well and there are no major problems. We are asking for more volunteers in an article to be published in the Spring 2001 Partners.

2.0 Background

2.1 The Government's new Waste Strategy has made it necessary for Local Authorities to review the amount and type of waste going to landfill.

2.2 The Waste Strategy 2000 targets are:-

To recycle/compost at least 25% of household waste by 2005

To recycle/compost at least 30% of household waste by 2010

To recycle/compost at least 33% of household waste by 2015

2.3 Other reasons for the need change include the fact that Landfill space will run out in the next 10 years and Waste is increasing by 4% per annum. Waste analyseis have shown a high percentage of waste which can be diverted.

2.4 At present in East Hampshire we are currently recycling approximately 20%.  13% through our household recycling scheme and the remainder from the amenity sites.

2.5 The two trials areas chosen are part of Horndean in the South and Beech/Lasham/Bentworth/Wield/Medstead(part) in the North.

2.6 The trial will commence on the 7th May 2001 and will involve waste and recyclables being collected on alternate weeks

ONE WEEK: collections only of dry recyclable (BLACK BIN) and green garden waste (REUSABLE SACK)

NEXT WEEK: Collection only of non-recyclable domestic waste (GREEN BIN)

2.7 All properties in the trial areas will have a fixed day of collection and this is likely to be Friday. To enable this to happen all other properties collected during the week by these two rounds will also have to become fixed day collections. We will have to inform these residents about this change and information will be sent separately to these residents in April.

3.0 Green Waste Trials

3.1 The trial areas will also receive a separate collection of green waste using a reusable sack which for the trial period will be provided free. The collection will be on the same day and week as the recyclables.

3.2 The waste collected will be transported to two sites. Waste collected in the South will be delivered to Down End Quarry, Portsmouth and in the North to Bushy Warren Farm.

4.1 In November 2000 we sent out a letter, questionnaire and leaflet to all residents involved in the trial areas. Copies of these are attached as Appendix 1.

4.2 Residents were asked to complete the questionnaire and return by 18th December 2000.

4.3 The questionnaires are designed to give us as much information as possible to evaluate what peoples concerns are.

4.4 There have been a pleasingly high percentage of replies saying that they would have no problem at all with alternate weekly collections. There have been a few that think they will have problems and these are being dealt with by Jane Hiscock our Customer Liaison Officer.  Some queries have been answered over the telephone. Appendix 2 shows a list of the most common problems that have arisen.

4.5 We have received very few negative replies and we are corresponding and visiting people with concerns.

4.6 Further information regarding the scheme will be sent out to residents towards the end of January. The intention is that this information will deal with the issues raised by residents in the questionnaires they return.

5.1 Jane Hiscock has made contact with all Parish Clerks to inform them of what is happening and providing them with copies of all correspondence. At the same time she is requesting information from them regarding Parish Meetings which we could attend to provide further information.

5.2 We are also asking Parish Clerks for details of local halls or meeting places where we could hold exhibitions for the residents to come along and meet and talk with officers and members regarding the scheme.

5.3 Ward Members - Another meeting with Ward Members will be held towards the end of January in order to update them further on the scheme.

6.1 We will be holding exhibitions for residents to come and meet and talk with officers and members about the scheme. These will be held during February - early April.

7.1 We will continue to issue press releases on a regular basis to give all residents in the district information about how the trials are going.

8.1 There is a further article in the winter Partners magazine on Alternate Weekly Collection and also articles are being prepared for future editions.

9.1 To date 3000 Home Composters and water butts have been sold during sales held last year in July and October.

9.2 Another sale has been booked for Sunday 11th March 2000 in Turk Street Car Park, Alton and Central Car Park, Petersfield. The advert for this sale will be on the back page of the winter Partners which is delivered during January.

Contact Officer: Sarah Incher, Waste Reduction Officer

Direct Dial: 01730 234279