Archived press release

Date Published: 11/07/07

85% of Buckingham residents tell us they are coping well with the garden and cardboard waste collection service, which is currently being trialled in their area, with an encouraging 95% saying they have had no problems with maggots in their bins. ...

85% of Buckingham residents tell us they are coping well with the garden and cardboard waste collection service, which is currently being trialled in their area, with an encouraging 95% saying they have had no problems with maggots in their bins.

The Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire has recently carried out a telephone survey with Buckingham residents to find out their views on the new brown bin service which is currently being trialled by 1,400 householders in the area.

The brown bins collect garden and cardboard waste, helping to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being disposed at landfill sites.  Biodegradable waste consists of things like food, garden, paper and cardboard, which when disposed at landfill produces potent methane emissions.

Over a quarter of residents living in the trial area took part in the telephone survey which aimed to find out:
• Resident’s attitudes towards recycling.
• Resident’s views on the garden and cardboard waste collections. 
• The extent to which residents had problems with maggots and smells beforehand and afterwards.
• Whether they feel the scheme should be rolled out to the rest of the Aylesbury Vale district area.
• If they feel the scheme benefits the environment.

The results of the survey revealed how important recycling is to Buckingham residents with a majority saying they would recycle even if it required additional effort.  Since the introduction of garden and cardboard waste collection, nearly 60% of participants said they recycle everything that can be recycled. 

Over three quarters of those surveyed said that they has not experienced any significant increase in unpleasant smells with either their bins.

Aylesbury District Council Cabinet Member, Sir Beville Stanier said, “I am really pleased with the results from the telephone survey which have shown that residents in Buckingham are supporting the trial brown bin collection service.  The overwhelming majority, 93% have also suggested that the scheme should be extended to the rest of the district, recognising its value in helping us to divert waste from landfill.”

Councillor Martin Tett, Chairman of the Waste Committee for Buckinghamshire said, “By using their brown bin residents in Buckingham are playing an important role in helping the county to divert the amount of biodegradable waste reaching landfill.  Biodegradable waste produces potent methane gases when disposed at landfill, which are 21 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.”

For more information please contact Anushka Desai, Communications Officer on 01296 387677.