Move to fortnightly bin collections for majority of Eastbourne homes is agreed

On Wednesday (February 10), Eastbourne Borough Council’s cabinet approved plans to move most of the town to alternative weekly bin collections. 

The change, due to come into force in April, would mean general refuse is only collected once a fortnight, with a recycling-only collection on the off week.  Colin Swansborough, cabinet member for place services, said: “There are lots and lots of good reasons for this. 

“We went out to consultation over it and had a large response over it, but I think most people in the town are quite happy with the way in which it is anticipated it will run. 

“And it should run quite well because we have neighbours – Wealden District Council for example – who have been doing this for years. If you talk to their residents and their councillors they have no problem with it at all.”

According to meeting papers, the change would be expected to save the council £206,000 in the first year, rising to £249,000 in following years.

It is also expected to see the town’s recycling rate increase by between five to seven per as well as reduce carbon emissions by taking some of the council’s fleet of bin lorries off the road.

Jonathan Dow, cabinet member for climate change, said: “The main driver for this is to increase our recycling rates as a town. We sit at about 35 per cent at the moment; the government target is 50 per cent.

“We are behind where we need to be when compared to our neighbours as well as like for like authorities. 

“At the moment nearly 60 per cent of local authorities already collect refuse fortnightly, so we are in the minority – the 32 per cent who still collect weekly.”

He added: “There are some cost savings which are beneficial, but the main thing for me – other than increasing recycling rates – is the reduction in our carbon footprint.

“The anticipated reduction is about 60,000kg of CO2 equivalent by reducing the mileage our trucks will be doing, which I think is a substantial saving at a time when we have a carbon neutral 2030 target to hit.”

The changes are not expected to affect all of the town’s residents, with certain areas in the town centre and certain large blocks of flats retaining weekly collections. 

The council says this is due to a lack of storage space in these areas and concerns around cleanliness.

Following discussion the meeting moved into private session due to commercial confidentiality.