ELLESMERE Port and Neston is being held up as the benchmark for Chester’s waste recycling revolution.
Cllr Neil Ritchie, Cheshire West and Chester Environment portfolio holder, says a new rubbish collection scheme will not be introduced in the former borough, as the current one is proving to be a big success.
But in Chester bags are being scrapped for the vast majority, with new green and blue wheelie bins, added to the existing brown bin, catering for all recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
The move aims improve recycling rates and help to divert rubbish away from landfill.
The former borough’s waste collection, which has a 45% recycling rate, is carried out by the council, while those Chester and Vale Royal areas are operated by contractors.
Cllr Ritchie said: “There is no change proposed in Ellesmere Port and Neston. We’ve got a good system which was introduced not so long ago.
“We are achieving a very good recycling rate, 45% is a great figure. Obviously we hope to continue to increase that rate, it’s getting better and better each year.”
He added: “The previous contract ended in Chester and we had to achieve a significantly higher recycling rate, as is being achieved in Ellesmere Port and Neston.
“The time to look again will be in three years when Vale Royal’s contract is up. We will be looking to bring together all the waste collection scheme in the new authority area.”
The Chester scheme sees a new blue wheelie bin, with a black tray, used for recycling and a new green bin for garden waste, which will be collected on a fortnightly rotating basis.
Existing brown bins replace black bags for unrecyclable rubbish, which will be collected weekly.
