6 weeks until COP26
COP26 is now just a month and a half away and the buzz around this important event is getting louder and louder!
Though waste has not been specifically highlighted on the agenda for this event, reducing waste will be vital in decreasing emissions and helping to fight climate change.
We have been undertaking a innovate pilot (in partnership with West Sussex County Council) with an aim to reduce the refuse produced by households. The initial rollout included areas within the wards of Courtwick and Toddington and began in May 2021. This trial focused on delivering a 1-2-3 collection system which consists of weekly food waste (and opt in absorbent hygiene products) collection, fortnightly dry recycling and small electric items (and opt-in subscription garden waste) collection and tri-weekly refuse collection. This is a big change from the weekly refuse and fortnightly dry recycling collection our residents are used to.
Since starting the trial in May approximately 62% of waste has been recycled, an increase of 19.16% pre-trial, with residual waste reducing by 50%, from approximately 33 tonnes to 15 tonnes over the equivalent period! In terms of food waste collection, there was an average of 3.04kg per household per collection per week, with participation rates very high at between 85-88%. Phase 2 started on 21 September with a focus on HMO (Houses of multiple Occupancy) properties and houses converted into flats, which often don’t have access to purpose-built bin storage facilities.
This exciting project is still in early development and results from both phases will help determine the best way to address the household waste produced within Arun in the future.