Around 200 flats above shops in Bromley to receive household recycling collections for the first time thanks to a new trial launched by Bromley Council and its recycling and waste contractor, Veolia.
The trial, which launches this week, will see the introduction of recycling collections to flats above shops in Penge High Street, and Queensway/ Chatsworth Parade in Petts Wood. Following an initial trial period of six months, a decision will then be made upon whether to continue the service and expand it to all 1500 flats above shops across the borough.
The properties in the trial will receive recycling collections each week, of paper and card one week, and plastic, glass and tins the next. Households will receive detailed instructions and a collection calendar along with their recycling sacks.
Until now, residents living in flats above shops or homes where the entrance of the property is straight onto the street, have relied on local recycling banks as generally there is no space for recycling containers. The new service will trial the use of recycling sacks instead, making it easier to recycle.
Veolia and Bromley Council will engage closely with residents to ensure they know how to use the service, and will be regularly monitoring the participation of residents and the quality of recycling. This will help determine whether recycling collections will roll out to all 1500 flats above shops, delivering a household recycling service for all homes in the borough for the first time.
Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, Executive Councillor for Environment and Community Services said, “We have a long and proud recycling record and as a leading recycling borough, we are always looking to do more and this is yet another example. Recycling as much as we can and minimising waste are the best options not only environmentally but financially. I would really encourage residents to get on board in the trial as we will need to carefully consider the outcome of the trial and whether it is successful before we can consider extending it, both in terms of whether it is operationally and economically viable to deliver the service. We are asking households participating in the trial, like all residents, to recycle as much as they can and leave it for collection on their allocated collection day.”
Simon Moore, Regional Manager for Veolia Bromley said, “Bromley residents have always shown dedication to recycling services and we will be working closely with households in the trial area to help them get used to the new service. It’s important that sacks go out for collection on the correct day and are ready for collection from 7am, as this will help us to recycle as much as possible and keep the neighbourhood presentable.”
Participating households have been contacted twice before the launch, including the delivery of the recycling sacks for the scheme, with staff also door-knocking to personally explain how the new recycling services will work. Residents are asked to share feedback on the information received, to help improve services, by filling out the survey at www.bromley.gov.uk/flatsaboveshops.