Why Is the Recycling Service Changing?

This change is linked to the new contract with Serco, which began in August 2009.  Serco proposed the introduction of fully-comingled recycling (i.e. all recyclate in one container) as a means of increasing Charnwood’s recycling rate, by making it easier for residents to recycle.

This wasn’t introduced at the same time as the Serco contract, as the recycling collection vehicles in use didn’t have bin lifting mechanisms on them, meaning that they couldn’t empty wheelie bins.  The lease for these vehicles is now ending, and Serco are purchasing a fleet of recycling collection vehicles with bin lifting mechanisms.