Following requests for help from residents living above shopping parades on New Park Road and Brixton Hill, Councillor Martin Tiedemann asked a question at last night’s Council meeting and secured renewed commitment from the Cabinet Member to address those concerns.

We will be following this issue up and ensuring that the new system, including daily collection, is rolled out to New Park Road as soon as possible and a suitable location found for the recycling bins.

13. Councillor Martin Tiedemann

To: Cabinet Member for Environment and Clean Air, Councillor Claire Holland

Residents in Brixton Hill are experiencing problems with waste collection where they live above shopping parades, particularly New Park Road. Can the cabinet member review the provision for refuse and recycling in these instances and see if a more effective approach can be taken?

Party: Labour

Answer: Lambeth has in recent years taken a number of steps forward successfully to increase recycle rates in the borough and this will remain a priority in the years ahead, despite deep government cuts to the council’s budget.

The collection of waste from flats above shops does pose a number of challenges, including the need to keep the footway free of bins means that waste is put out in bags, attracting foxes and creating litter. The change over in tenants in these properties, which tend to be privately rented, also means that establishing a regular pattern of recycling behaviour is more difficult.

However, we have been working with our waste contractor Veolia on a trial aimed at improving recycling in this type of accommodation. This includes introducing small green bins, similar to the yellow grit bins, which residents can use for their recycling bags. As part of this we are providing properties with posters containing all the necessary information which have been put up in interior hallways, ensuring that new residents have access to the information they need whenever they need it. We’re also introducing smaller packs of recycling sacks which will fit through letterboxes so that residents can access the recycling service and use it properly. General refuse is collected daily each morning, and residents are encouraged to put their waste out at the correct time before the collection takes place to reduce the number of bags on the pavement during the busier parts of the day.

The trial has so far produced positive results. Recycling has increased from flats above shops in areas where the green boxes have been situated. We are yet to receive the first batch of smaller packs of bags, but we expect this will further increase recycling. Following the end of the trial, we expect to roll out this new approach across all parades of flats above shops that are not currently in a timed collections area, including Brixton Hill and New Park Road later this year.