Glass collection axe ‘to save nearly £500,000’

Kirklees Council cabinet members will be asked to agree to end household glass collections from the end of March.

The move designed to deliver budget savings of up to £468,000 by 2014.

The council is proposing to help residents to recycle more glass themselves, by introducing more glass recycling sites across the district.

Deputy leader of Kirklees Council Coun David Sheard said: “If this is agreed, from April next year, we will be encouraging Kirklees residents to do more glass recycling for themselves, and in order to do so, we recognise that we must improve the existing network of community glass recycling bins available.

“Currently, there are 120 glass recycling facilities across the district, putting 84 per cent of residents within one kilometre of their nearest site.

“We would introduce more facilities over the coming months so that by the time household collections could end, 95 per cent of residents would be within 1km of a site – in fact for 60 per cent of residents, their nearest bin would be just 500 metres away.

“Any decision to cease a service our residents have come to expect is regrettable, but difficult economic times mean difficult choices.

“While we’re reluctant to 
take this option, we are keen to offer a reasonable alternative 
for residents, and conclude that providing more community recycling facilities would be a 
necessary yet reasonable compromise.”

Householders who currently benefit from the service will be contacted in February if there is to be a change to collections.

All residents will be sent information about the extended network of community glass recycling facilities available from April 1.

The Cabinet meets on Wednesday to discuss the proposal.