A lot of people are angry about the changes the Council have made, imposing large bins on them without any consultation - and they just don’t work. We need them to rethink this
urgently, and not consider extending to other streets in Fulham.
Your local Conservative Councillors are working with residents and our local Assembly Member Tony Devenish to campaign for the Council to give us back our bins.
Residents have been responding to a new pilot scheme introduced by the Council which has included the introduction of two large bins (one green and one black) per household as well as a small food recycling bin.
Some aspects of the scheme are supported, such as the new food recycling bins.
But other aspects of the scheme inhibit residents' ability to recycle. The way the scheme has been rolled out – which has included the Council removing residents existing bins without their consent – has angered many residents.
Whilst residents have welcomed the Council’s aspiration to improve recycling rates in H&F – H&F has the joint fifth lowest recycling rate in London with London having the lowest recycling rate in the country – they do not feel the Council has properly engaged with them about the new scheme and feel it has a number of flaws which need addressing.
This scheme just doesn't work:
- The bins are too large for many properties: Any property split into flats simply does not have the space to accommodate at least four bins. Both bins are nearly four feet tall (1.1 metres). Their width ranges from 0.45 metres for the black bins to 0.55 metres for the green bins.
- Rubbish Collection: The Council has stated that rubbish from non-H&F bins will not be collected. Many residents believe this is wrong.
- Mobility issues: Residents with mobility scooters or wheelchairs have stated they struggle to get out/into their property due to the location of the new bins. Parents with young children have experienced similar problems.
- Bin Storage: Most of the bin storage units are not designed to accommodate bins of this height.
- Suitability: The Council claims each property has been assessed to check they can accommodate the bins but many residents feel the Council’s assessment is flawed. Furthermore, the Council has not stated what criteria it has used to assess each property.
- Green Waste: No consideration has been given to how the Council can better promote recycling garden waste.
It's also not at all appropriate for the Council to have done this:
- Removing of Existing Bins: The Council’s decision to remove residents bins without their consent is wrong.
- Lack of Consultation: Residents feel that this scheme has been imposed upon them and is not appropriate for their area.
- Conservation Area: We do not know if the bins comply with the rules regarding Conservation Area.
- Measurement: We have been provided with no evidence as to what the current recycling rate is in these streets so how will the success or not of the scheme be assessed?
- Value for Money: We believe the new bins have cost at least £300,000. However we have been provided with no data to justify why these bins were selected over smaller bins more appropriate for a dense urban setting.
We are backing local residents who want to see the Council pause the implementation of this current scheme. They should reconsult with residents and together agree a more practical, functional recycling scheme.
This consultation should be a genuine two-way consultation with residents so the Council can understand how it can better work with residents to deliver a recycling system that works for everyone.
If you support this ambition please support our petition below, or join our mailing list for this campaign if you would like to receive updates on what is happening!