Cabinet rules out move to three-weekly waste collections this year

Related topics: Climate change / environment

A move to three-weekly collections of general, non-recyclable, waste in the Shropshire Council area will not be part of the council’s budget for the year 2025/26, and will not be considered until at least the 2026/27 financial year – with any changes only considered once plans for a new free weekly food waste collection have been confirmed, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed.

Currently general waste household collections are every two weeks.

In the council’s recent budget consultation people were asked for their views on two possible changes to waste collections to help the council save money: collecting general waste every three weeks and recycling every two weeks OR collecting general waste and recycling every three weeks. Garden waste collections would continue every two weeks.

After considering the feedback from the consultation – and with all councils legally required to introduce weekly food waste collections from 2026 – Cabinet has today (12 February 2025) agreed not to consider changes to general waste collections until weekly food waste collections are introduced – sometime in 2026/27.

The implementation of weekly food waste collections is currently being planned by the council. Any change to collection frequency would be subject to changes being agreed by the council’s Cabinet and full Council, public consultation, and discussions with Veolia, the council’s waste contractor.

A move to three-weekly collections of general waste could help save the council up to £2m a year, and increase the amount of waste that is recycled – helping to meet the Government target of 65% of household waste being recycling by 2035. It would also cut emissions from collection vehicles, helping to reduce carbon.

To reassure residents, if changes to the frequency of waste collections are to be considered, before any new change would be implemented measures would be needed to help residents with large households who may struggle with three weekly collections, or who have specific needs such as disposing of medical waste or nappies.

Ian Nellins, Shropshire Council’s deputy Leader and Cabinet member with responsibility for waste management, said:

“Changing to three-weekly collections of general – non-recyclable waste – could save the council a significant amount of money and help to increase the amount of household waste that is recycled in Shropshire.

“However, it makes sense to consider this change at the same time as the introduction of weekly food waste collections. If agreed, it’ll mean we make all the service changes at once, which would be best for residents and for our collection crews, would mean food waste won’t have to be left in black bins for up to three weeks, and will give us the time and opportunity to effectively communicate any changes to residents.

“We know a less frequent waste collection may present challenges for some households so we would work to develop alternatives for people who may – for a variety of reasons – find it difficult adapting to a new system.”

Composition analysis of the waste from black bins going to the energy recovery facility in Shrewsbury shows that at least 30% (or 30,000 tonnes) of this could be recycled.

Many other councils have already introduced three-weekly waste collections, while many others are planning to do so.

The money that would have been saved by moving to three-weekly collections in the year 2025/26 will be covered by the council’s collection fund surplus.

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone declared for whole of England

Mandatory enhanced biosecurity will now be required and the housing order extended to cover York, North Yorkshire and Shropshire.

From:

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency

Published

24 January 2025

The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has ordered a new  Avian Influenza Prevention Zone AIPZ to cover the whole of England from noon on Saturday 25 January following the escalating number of cases of avian influenza and continued heightened risk levels in wild birds.

The move will require keepers to conduct enhanced biosecurity to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.

A housing order has also been extended in the north of England to now cover York and North Yorkshire, and a new Housing Order has been ordered for Shropshire following an outbreak in the county. This will come into force at 00:01 on Monday 27th January.

A housing order remains in force across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk. Areas with Housing Orders require the strictest levels of biosecurity as set out by the AIPZ.

Mandatory housing also applies in any 3km Protection Zone surrounding an infected premises.

The current risk to human health remains low and as standard, properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. UKHSA remains vigilant for any evidence of changing levels of risk and are keeping this under constant review.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said:

Given the continued increase in the number of bird flu cases across England, we are taking further action to try and prevent the further spread of disease.

I urge bird keepers to check which requirements apply to them, to continue to exercise robust biosecurity measures, remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The AIPZ measures apply to all bird keepers whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock and are essential to protecting flocks from avian influenza.

Bird keepers are advised to consult the Interactive Map on gov.uk to check if they are impacted and should then read the AIPZ declaration relevant to their area - either the regional AIPZ with housing measures which sets out the requirements in East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Shropshire, York and North Yorkshire, or the regional AIPZ without housing measures for all other areas of England.

Further information on the latest situation and guidance to help bird keepers comply with the new rules is available via gov.uk/birdflu, but includes measures such as cleansing and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds– if practical, use disposable protective clothing.

Keepers are encouraged to take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading. Be vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep your birds safe.

Check if you’re in a bird flu disease zone on the map and check the declarations for details of the restrictions and gov.uk/birdflu for further advice and information.

The AIPZs will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza.