Wheelie Bin Plans Could Be Shelved

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Task group concludes they are too costly

Controversial plans to introduce wheelie bins in Merton could be shelved following a task force's recommendation.

The cross-party group investigated all aspects of domestic waste in the borough and made a unanimous recommendation that wheelie bins should not be introduced.

The findings of the group, chaired by Councillor John Sargeant, was presented to the council's sustainable communities panel on Thursday (May 26).

It also recommended that the council examine full costings before rolling out the food waste collection service to the 30,000 homes in the borough who don't yet have the service.

The current waste disposal scheme - with black sacks, boxes for dry, recycleable waste, food waste collection from 50,000 homes - will cost the council an estimated £2.508m in 2011-12, according to the group's report.

It concludes that three options involving the use of wheelie bins would cost from £2.806m to £3.243m.

It states: "The costings that we have been given clearly show that the current method of sacks for landfill refuse and boxes for recycling is the most cost effective. The current methods have the advantage of flexibility in terms of resilience for the future and are also conducive to improving our recycling rates."

The panel accepted all the recommendations and the next stage is for the proposals to go the council cabinet on June 20.

Plans to introduce wheelie bins were last year opposed by a petition signed by more than 1,400 residents which was presented to the council in July.

June 3, 2011