Manchester to consult on recycling
The report to the council's Executive Committee on 23 October 2007, will propose that the council embarks on a sustained and high profile engagement programme from October 2007 to April 2008 to ensure that future policies can be shaped to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Refuse collections for domestic waste will continue to be collected weekly and not decreased to a fortnightly collection.
The consultation proposes to ask people for their ideas and views on a range of recycling and waste issues which include:
· Improvements to frequencies and types of recycling collection services
· Expansion of recycling facilities to high rise apartments
· Emphasis on waste-minimisation programmes - 'plastic bag-free Manchester'
· Possible introduction of compulsory recycling to Manchester
· Prevention of abuse of bulky waste collections
· One bin per household policy (for households with fewer than 5 members)
· Charges for additional/replacement bins
· New materials included in recycling service such as cardboard and plastics
· Sponsorship introduced from commercial sector
· Examination of offer of incentives to residents and businesses for taking part in recycling schemes
· Kitchen waste collections in the city
Councillor Neil Swannick, executive member for Environment said: "Manchester is committed to improving and expanding its recycling services and we have increased our recycling rates significantly in recent years from 3% in 2003/4 to an expected 22 per cent this year. We cannot remain still and we must take urgent steps to significantly improve our recycling rates through investment in new services. We are aiming to be Britain's greenest city by 2010 and the green agenda is our top priority.
He added: " Government has set all authorities tough recycling targets which we must meet and if we do not then it will result in financial penalties for us. The changes that will result from this engagement will not only be good for the environment they will also be of direct financial benefit to council tax payers."
