The rollout of wheelie bins in Redbridge is part of the new refuse collection policy. The prime driving force is to cut the amount of waste produced, while also increasing the amount recycled.

The world is being clogged up with the amount of plastic and waste produced by human beings. If people want to see just how disregarding people are over waste in the local area, come out on the councillor-led litter picks on the third Saturday of each month. Get a first-hand experience of how people disregard stuff all around our local area. Redbridge throws away the fifth highest amount of waste in the country.

The introduction of wheelie bins is intended to cut waste by ensuring that less is strewn about the streets as a result of animals tearing bags open, etc. It also places a limit on the amount of residual waste that can be collected – namely what will fit in a wheelie bin. The idea is that those who are not recycling at the moment will be encouraged to do so. But key also is the idea of producing less waste in the first instance.

So we also need better recycling schemes, which the council is presently working on. Also, we need to look to things like community composting – some of the waste being put in those black bags can be recycled in the form of compost, which then goes back into improving the soil all around us.

Also, just to correct some misinformation being put about - there are no plans to cut collections as a result of the introduction of wheelie bins. The idea is a better service, not a lesser one.

The wheelie bin initiative should be welcomed as the new dawn for refuse collection in Redbridge – the beginning of a pro-active approach that takes account of the climate crisis through which we are all now living.

Cllr Paul Donovan

Councillor for Wanstead Village, London Borough of Redbridge