Plans to implement and enforce waste strategy revealed

Monday 23 April 2018

£50,000 is to be set aside to ensure Guernsey's new waste strategy is complied with.

Amid some public discontent with the charging mechanisms which were agreed last week, it has been confirmed that some of the money raised through the waste strategy will be spent on "compliance activity."

Speaking to Express during the debate on the new funding mechanisms last week, the President of Environment and Infrastructure, Deputy Barry Brehaut said that would be similar to when the now-routine kerbside recycling scheme was introduced, when homeowners were advised if they put the wrong coloured bag out or if they left it out on the wrong night.

Pictured: President of E&I, Deputy Barry Brehaut; one of the lead politicians behind the waste strategy

To try and avoid some of that confusion, leaflets are being sent to every island household from this week outlining the new bin collection arrangements that will be introduced later this year. 

The changes will include new collections for food waste and glass, and a switch to fortnightly pick ups of general waste for most households. In a statement Express was told: "This will make it easier for islanders to recycle, and encourage everyone to reduce waste."

The new collections are due to start the week commencing 2 September, ahead of the introduction of the new "pay as you throw" system next year. Again, the statement said: "This will give islanders time to familiarise themselves with the revised collections before the new charges come into effect."

The leaflet we can all expect to receive this week will mark the start of a communication campaign, to ensure everyone is aware of the new arrangements and how they can use them. Under the new strategy most households will have a single collection each week. That may be the same as their current bin night, but some households will see a change. Some areas of St Peter Port will also have a weekly collection for general waste.

Pictured: File image of a food waste caddy 

Richard Evans, Deputy Managing Director of States Trading Assets, said the implementation team have already been working with parishes and their contractors on the details of the collections.

“The precise arrangements will depend on where you live" he said, explaining that "The specifics have not yet been finalised for every household because parishes have to agree these arrangements with their contractors. However, we are working with them to confirm all the details in the coming weeks.”

Mr Evans reiterated what Deputy Brehaut had said, about the roll-out of the new waste collections being similar to when kerbside recycling was introduced: "Every household will receive specific information telling them exactly when their bin night is and what materials to put out each week. This will also explain exactly hoe the new collections will work, what they need to do and when.

“That more detailed information will go out over the summer, but for now the initial leaflet will provide the key details.”

The new leafets will be delivered from Wednesday 25 April with staff from States Trading Assets also attending 16 events over 10 days, to answer any questions from the public.

A list of times and venues is included in the leaflet but they will start on Wednesday 25 April, at the Co-op Grande Marche Stores in St Sampson’s and St Martin’s, between 09:00 and 11:00. The same day they will be at the Waitrose stores on the Rohais and at Admiral Park between 16:00 and 18:00.