Council asks residents' views for new waste collection system

RESIDENTS’ views are being sought on how New Forest District Council collects household waste and recycling.

Researchers working on behalf of the authority will be knocking on doors from now until 14th February to invite some householders to answer a short survey on the service.

As reported in the A&T, NFDC is looking at how to improve its recycling rates, which are among the lowest in the country, and introducing wheelie bins has not been ruled out.

The survey of around 1,100 New Forest residents is being carried out for the council by MEL Research.

The householders will be asked to answer a brief series of questions about the current service and their priorities for recycling and waste collection, which is the responsibility of NFDC. Hampshire County Council is in charge of subsequent disposal.

NFDC’s cabinet member for environment and regulatory services, Cllr Alison Hoare, said: “We are looking in detail at how we collect residents’ waste and recycling and hearing people’s views is essential as we develop our new waste strategy.

“We want to know what they value about the current service and where they would like us to develop the service in future.

“Our aim is to reduce the impact on the environment so we are committed to helping residents to reduce their household waste and recycle as much as they can.”

Researchers will be speaking to a wide range of people to make sure the feedback gathered reflects the make-up of the district.

The survey follows the government releasing in December 2018 a national strategy document called Our Waste, Our Resources: A Strategy for England.

Cllr Hoare explained: “Any of the measures proposed in this new national strategy will have an impact on how all councils collect waste and recycling.

“These measures will be considered alongside the results of the residents’ survey and further research and analysis to develop a new waste strategy that will set out the way that we deal with household waste and recycling in the New Forest in the future.”

She added: “Once we have considered all the key factors, a draft waste strategy will be produced. If this document contains significant changes, there will be an approval process through cabinet and a period of public consultation later in the year.”

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