LAWR

WASTE COLLECTION alkirk Council recently finished the final phase of its switch from a fortnightly-based waste collection system to a three-weekly one. The transformation has been swift and the improvements impressive. However, it hasn't all been plain sailing, especially when it comes to food waste collections. "We collect food waste weekly, yet 28% by weight in the non-recyclable bin is still food, meaning we pay twice to collect that one material," says the council's waste strategy officer Robin Baird. Discussions about potential changes to Falkirk's waste collection service started in 2012. The recycling rate had already hit 50%, but with a mandatory 60% target by 2020 under Scotland's Zero Waste Plan, a pioneering approach was required. So from May 2014, residents in Falkirk had their food waste caddies collected weekly and their recyclable bins collected every two weeks. The trucks for what was left over came only once every three weeks. One year on and it seems to be working. Now rolled out to a total of 66,000 households, the service has led to a reduction of around 400 tonnes to landfill every month compared to the same period when fortnightly collections were available. Sizable savings On average, the amount of waste discarded by households reduced by two kilogrammes per week and the food waste tonnages recycled have increased by as much as 75%. Recycling has also increased. The council's recycling rate for 2014 was 53%; by the end of 2015 this could reach 58% thanks to the changes being implemented. There will be cost savings too: Falkirk is expecting to make landfill-diversion savings in the region of £385,000 a year (see box). This all suggests that residents are on board, happy to have become part of a pioneering project. "As always, residents realise that we are taking a positive step change that first and foremost requires their support," says Baird. "By fully engaging with residents on the doorstep, at roadshows and by phone we have all taken a positive step to becoming more resource aware." This perhaps underplays the significance of the council's efforts in communicating the service changes. Baird explains: "The key challenge is to turn everyone's attention to look at the whole service delivered and not one aspect [that is, non-recyclable waste every three weeks]. We continue to 12 Local Authority Waste & Recycling May 2015 F How less can mean more The pioneers of three-weekly collections are seeing improved recycling rates and considerable cost savings. Will the concept now catch on elsewhere? A move to three-weekly residual waste collections has pushed up recycling in some areas

• Cover