Using fewer natural resources is one of the main reasons for recycling. We have assumed that looking after the environment is our responsibility and recycling as much rubbish as we can is one of the best practices. At the same time, the institutions have been improving the way citizens recycle and the rules have changed over time in order to make recycling cheaper and more efficient.

That is why Lewisham council is making a move towards being more efficient in terms of recycling and that involves some changes to rubbish and recycling collections. From October, there will be three major changes:

New food waste collection service. Did you know that food could be “recycled” too? This new waste collection service will be available for people who live in a house or a flat in a converted house. A silver bin will be used for this purpose.

Fortnightly black rubbish collections. Black bins, which contain the rubbish that cannot be recycled in the green bin or the food waste bin, will be emptied every two weeks. By introducing this change, it is estimated that we could save £500,000 a year.

Collection day. All the black bins, the green bins and the silver bins will be collected on the same day. If you subscribe to the garden waste service, this waste will also be collected on the same day.

Who is affected by these changes? On the one hand, if you live in a block of flats and use communal bins, you will not be affected. On the other hand, if you have your own recycling bins (which is the case for most people who live in a house or a flat in a converted house), you will be affected by these changes. The new food waste bin will be delivered to you before this service starts and it will come with a calendar of collection dates. Note that some roads are not planned to be affected for now (visit this website for more info:

https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/wasterecycle/waste-changes/Pages/Changes-to-rubbish-and-recycling-collections.aspx

In a 2015 consultation, 67% of residents asked for a food waste service and 94% thought it was important to recycle more. Your voice has been heard and new services have been introduced. It might be a bit difficult to get used to it, but it is just a matter of time. Once you know how the recycling service works, you will feel very happy for contributing effort to a more sustainable world.