Fortnightly rubbish U-turns revealed

At least 10 local authorities have reverted from alternate to weekly rubbish collections, according to new government figures.

Bolton MBC and Blackburn with Darwen BC are among those who opted for a return to weekly collections — even though many environmentalists are urging councils to choose alternate weekly collections to release resources for investment in recycling.

Replying to a written parliamentary question from shadow communities secretary Eric Pickles, environment minister Joan Ruddock listed 10 councils but gave the caveat that more councils may have recently followed suit.

While many councils on the list returned to weekly collections some time ago, fortnightly pick-ups of waste became a huge issue in last year's local election campaign, resulting in some councils changing policy.

According to the Local Government Association, alternative collections improve the rate of recycling with eight out of 10 of the most improved councils for recycling collecting on alternate weeks.

Chartered Institution of Waste Management deputy chief executive Chris Murphy said: "The number of councils going back to weekly collections is very small, compared to those changing to alternate collections."

Other councils named by Ms Ruddock were Bury MBC, Sutton LBC, Plymouth and Southampton city councils and Nuneaton & Bedworth and Chelmsford BCs. Leeds City Council and East Cambridgeshire DC abandoned trials of alternate weekly collections.