Weekly food waste collections axed in three Shropshire towns
Weekly food waste collections in three south Shropshire towns will be axed as part of reforms which will save Shropshire Council up to £225,000 a year. Weekly food waste collections in three south Shropshire towns will be axed as part of reforms which will save Shropshire Council up to £225,000 a year. Residents in Ludlow, Church Stretton and Craven Arms will have to put out their food remains with their garden and cardboard waste every two weeks from October 4. And instead of the waste being taken to a biodigester in Ludlow, it will instead be taken to a composting facility at Market Drayton to produce compost for garden centres and retailers across the county. Read more in the Shropshire Star
Weekly food waste collections in three south Shropshire towns will be axed as part of reforms which will save Shropshire Council up to £225,000 a year.
Residents in Ludlow, Church Stretton and Craven Arms will have to put out their food remains with their garden and cardboard waste every two weeks from October 4.
And instead of the waste being taken to a biodigester in Ludlow, it will instead be taken to a composting facility at Market Drayton to produce compost for garden centres and retailers across the county.
It follows the end of a pioneering Government-funded trial in the three market towns which saw residents put out their food waste in blue or brown bins every week for collection. The scheme had been launched in 2007.
Letters will be sent to homeowners from next week onwards by Shropshire Council and waste contractor Veolia Environmental Services advising them of the changes to the service.
Under the plans people will have to put food waste either in a wheelie bin or sack which they already use for garden and cardboard waste. New stronger sacks will be provided to accommodate the extra waste.
A spokesman for Shropshire Council said the move would save £225,000 and said the decision had been taken to ensure food waste collection was carried out in the most 'cost-effective' way.
He added there would be no change for households who currently receive fortnightly collections.
Councillor Mike Owen, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for economy and waste, said: "At a time when the council needs to make savings, while still providing the best possible services, these changes will allow us to continue to provide an excellent, though more cost-effective, food waste collection service to residents in Ludlow, Church Stretton and Craven Arms."
Christine Harvey, clerk of Church Stretton Town Council, said: "We are writing to Shropshire Council to say we are unhappy about this service being lost."
Any residents wanting more information can call 0345 678 9007.
By Peter Kitchen
