Why we need a new waste collection service for Dorset

In 2010/11, Dorset reached a new milestone - we recycled more than 50 per cent of our waste. However, we need to do more, not only to achieve our target of 60 per cent recycling by 2015/16, but also to help reduce costs and protect our environment.

Last year (2010/11), we sent 82,428 tonnes of waste to landfill - that's 425kg per household, the same weight as six standard washing machines. As we pay a tax on every tonne of waste landfilled, just under £4m was paid in tax last year. This rate of taxation is going up annually, so the same amount of waste will cost more to landfill next year.

We currently have 12 different collection systems operating around the county, which is not cost effective or efficient and can be confusing for residents.

Councils working together 

Between October 2011 and January 2012, each of the seven member councils in the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) agreed to the introduction of a new, simple-to-use recycling and refuse service across the county to boost recycling, reduce service costs and increase residents' satisfaction.

The new service will see us continue to collect food waste weekly, and expand the current range of materials recycled at the kerbside. This means there will be less waste remaining in your household bin, so refuse will be collected fortnightly.

A key part of the proposed service is flexibility and making sure it's suitable for different types of properties. For example, if you have a large family, live in a shared accommodation such as a flat or could not store wheeled bins we will work to find a suitable solution for you.

By introducing a Dorset service, we will drive down costs, potentially by as much as £2m, while improving the service. Any savings will be shared between partner councils, freeing up some resources to spend on other public services.

When will the new service start?

The new service will be introduced across Dorset in phases between late 2012 and 2015.  The first areas to receive the new service will be Christchurch and part of East Dorset in autumn 2012. The below timetable is a guide only and is subject to change.

At a glance: what your new collection will look like

The new collections will be on an 'alternate week' basis, with smelly food waste collected every week, recycling collected one week and refuse (non-recyclable waste) the following week.

Optional garden waste service

All residents will also be offered an optional, chargeable garden waste service. If you currently home compost but have additional garden waste, or if you would simply rather have your garden waste collected at the kerbside instead of taking it to a household recycling centre, you can opt-in to this service. For those that subscribe, your garden waste will be collected fortnightly and you will receive either a wheelie bin or a reusable bag if you don't have space for a bin.

Roadshows

If you would like to find out more, come along to one of our roadshows, where you can see the containers and speak to one of our officers. Visit our events page for more details.

• Your questions about the new waste collection service answered

  Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the new Dorset waste collection service.

• What is the Dorset Waste Partnership?

  The Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) officially launched on 1 April 2011. It is responsible for running waste and cleansing services on behalf of five of the seven Dorset Councils.

• Refuse (residual waste) - part of the new Dorset collection service

  As part of the new service, you will receive fortnightly refuse collections.

• Optional garden waste service - new Dorset collection service

  Find out more about the optional, chargeable garden waste collection that is part of the new Dorset waste service

• Food waste - part of the new Dorset collection service

  Why it's important for us to collect food waste and how the new weekly collections will work.

• Recycling - part of the new Dorset collection service

  Recycling makes the best use of our natural resources by preventing virgin materials from being used. By collecting more recyclable materials in Dorset, we will reduce disposal costs and our impact on the environment.

• Containers for the new Dorset waste collection service

  See the types of containers you will have as part of the new collection service.