Residents in Malton and the surrounding area are set to benefit from an improved recycling service as wheelie bins are set to be delivered, as part of the first phase of a countywide roll-out.
Councillors approved plans earlier this year to introduce a harmonised recycling service for residents across the county.
Under the plans, the majority of residents will have alternate fortnightly household recycling collections, one for paper and card and one for all other recyclable materials, including glass, cans, plastics and cartons.
This model of collection already takes place in the Selby area and allows us to increase the amount and quality of recycling collected at the kerbside, reduce the cost of collection, and helps towards carbon reduction.
Separating the recycling also improves the quality of material, reduces processing costs, and generates a higher value when it is processed.
As well as the environmental benefits, we must also meet the requirements of the Environment Act 2021 to increase recycling, as well as collect paper and card separately.
Residents in Malton and the surrounding area will be the first to receive their bins. A letter with more information will be issued this week, with the new bins starting to arrive in the coming weeks.
Executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Greg White, whose responsibilities include waste services, said: “We have reviewed our recycling service to ensure it continues to provide the best value for money for taxpayers and is fit for purpose.
“We are making sure we do everything we can to increase recycling rates and contribute to our plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“The new model will also mean that everyone across North Yorkshire receives the same service, regardless of where they live.
“We are now writing to all residents in Malton and the surrounding area, advising them to keep an eye out for their wheelie bins, which will be delivered in the coming weeks.
“As we’ve got more than 50,000 bins to provide to households, it will take us a couple of months to deliver them all. So, residents should continue to use their existing boxes until they’re told when their new collections start.”
The new collections will start in the summer, and we will write to residents again in late May or early June with further information about when they can start using their new bins.
A series of events have been arranged for anyone who would like to find out more, or you can see further information about the new bins roll-out online.
For the rest of the county, the changes will be phased in over the next two to three years.
The initial estimated cost of implementing the changes would be about £8 million over the next five years, and it is anticipated to save about £560,000 per year, with the potential for even more savings.