Homeowners in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth could soon be facing a three-week wait to have their black bins emptied

Homeowners in south Warwickshire could soon be facing a three-week wait to have their black bins emptied.

The new rota would incorporate both Stratford and Warwick District Council areas and would also see the introduction of a new weekly waste food collection.

The proposals were approved by Stratford’s cabinet members yesterday (Monday) and if the plan is given the thumbs up by their Warwick counterparts, the new scheme could be put in place in 2022.

Cllr Ian Shenton (Con, Wootton Wawen), Stratford District Council’s portfolio holder for operations, explained that the new scheme could have a number of benefits for the area and would be another example of how the two authorities are working together.

He said: “The new contract, if agreed, would commence in August 2022 but it is essential that we start the process now.

“It is a fact that our recycling rate of around 60 per cent and Warwick DC’s of 55 per cent are well ahead of the government’s target of 50 per cent this year.

“By moving to a 123+ approach with a weekly food waste collection, two-weekly recyclable waste collections and three-weekly residual waste [black bag] collections we hope to build on the great efforts already made by our residents.

“The benefits are increased recycling levels, reduced levels of waste going to landfill, separate food waste collections, more fuel efficient refuse vehicles and a reduction in mileage travelled especially on the border between Stratford and Warwick districts.”

The planned introduction would coincide with the end of Stratford District Council’s current contract with Biffa. Warwick District Council’s arrangement with Suez runs until the end of March next year and the parties are in talks regarding a contract extension.

Food waste is currently taken as part of the garden waste green bin collection every two weeks and Cllr Susan Juned (Lib Dem, Alcester Town) said it was important that this was stopped as soon as food collections were introduced.

She said: “We do not want food waste to be ending up in the residual waste because that makes the whole cost of dealing with it much more expensive as a result of contamination.”

Other changes would see new homes in Stratford district being issued with smaller 180-litre grey-topped wheelie bins for their black bags to bring them into line with homes in Warwick district. The existing 240-litre bins will still be collected but replacements will be new size.

Homes in Warwick district will also see an end to the red boxes used for recyclable waste as these will be replaced by 240-litre blue-topped bins the same as used in the Stratford area. The brown waste food caddies will be either 23 or 40-litres and households will also be given a smaller caddy to use indoors.