Wheelie Bin Survey

On November 17 we closed our survey into your opinions on Wheelie Bins as planned.  It was launched via our email alert system on October 14.  (If you would like to receive our alerts click here ).  Thanks to all those who took part.  Our latest alert gave residents the results: 

"Since we launched our survey of opinions on Wheelie Bins in Merton Park Ward on October 14 we have received 230 direct replies, plus 15 comments through letters and other communications.  Thank you for your participation.  The survey remained open until today but now we can give you the overall conclusions.  In summary, this is how residents responded:

 

 

Yes

No

Do you use a Wheelie Bin at present?          

 

9%

91%

Would you favour the introduction of free wheelie bins to all Merton households who request them? 

 

25%

75%

Would you personally accept a wheelie bin if it were offered to you?

 

23%

77%

 

 

This represents a sizeable majority opposed to the introduction of wheelie bins.  (The background to their proposed introduction was outlined in our email to you on October 14.) 

 

As we expected, beyond the simple scores, your comments provided some valuable insights.  Of those in favour, many felt that wheelie bins were a good way to reduce mess and combat the problem of foxes attacking refuse bags.  Amongst those against, many objected to the cost, especially at this time of cuts.  There was a widely-held feeling that wheelie bins would be an eyesore and were not appropriate to the frontage of their houses.  Some felt there was a lack of evidence that wheelie bins would encourage recycling.

 

We now expect wheelie bins to be referred to the Sustainable Communities Panel for a scrutiny review before any proposals are presented to council.  As ever, we will keep you updated on how this issue progresses."   

 

. . .and here is the background to the survey:

 

Labour made an election promise in May to introduce wheelie bins throughout Merton.  The plans  are now taking shape.  We recognise that this is a contentious issue so we want you to know what is recommended.  We also very much want to hear your views.  So this alert brings you the key facts and an invitation to vote on the issue (it just takes a few seconds):


The Plans
The Labour Manifesto commitment was to “give every household, that wants them, free wheelie bins.” (Local Guardian 15 April 2010)
Under the scheme, each household would receive two bins: one for residual waste and the other for dry recycling.  Bins would be delivered on an “opt-out “ basis; residents not wanting wheelie bins would have to contact the Council to ask for them to be returned and this would have to be separately arranged.  The aim is to get most households to start the trial process.

The investment cost of the full scheme would be £4.6 million.  This is not included in Merton’s Capital Programme.  The cost would have to be met by savings from elsewhere.  The increase in annual costs of running the scheme would be £189,000 in the first year and £715,000 annually thereafter.  These increases could be met by one-off savings next year.  Future years would need to be tackled as part of the budget process.

The administration want to conduct a pilot scheme across 20,000 households  (some 30% of the Borough) starting in April 2011 and if successful the scheme would be rolled out to the rest of Merton in 2012/13.  The pilot would require an investment of £1.2 million as well as the £189,000 running cost.

Merton’s Labour Cabinet decided in favour of this Wheelie Bin scheme on Monday 11 October.  As there is no provision for the scheme in the Council’s Budget, it will be brought to the next Full Council Meeting on November 24 for a final decision.

For information
• The recommended size of bin is 180 litres for both residual waste and recycling.


• Waste from most households is currently collected using black sacks bought by residents and plastic boxes provided by the council for recycling.  Some households have already purchased their own wheelie bins.


• The Council’s new refuse/recycling collection vehicles (RCVs) have lifts for wheeled bins but on-the-road adjustments would be required to the back of the RCVs every time loading changed between bins and sacks.


• Within the overall increase in running costs, a move to wheelie bins would reduce the number of properties served each day from 2000 to 1200.  Crewing per vehicle would fall but the number of vehicles would rise.  For the pilot area, there would be 6 vehicles - plus crew of 2 - instead of the current 4 vehicles plus crews of 3.

.  A total of 13 out of 32 London boroughs use wheelie bins.

• Last year, Merton achieved a 33.6% recycling rate against Sutton with 38%, and a draft  London target of 45% by 2015.  Also, Merton and the three other boroughs in the South London Waste Partnership (SWLP) have committed to a target of 51%.   The three other SWLP boroughs all use wheelie bins.