Ref: PR1903
Date: 29/08/08

Wakefield Council is gearing up for the final phase of the new waste and recycling collection scheme being launched on October 21. The expansion of the scheme includes Knottingley, Castleford, Normanton, Altofts, Sharlston, Featherstone, Ackworth, Pontefract and Darrington

The 60,000 households in these areas will be receiving their new recycling boxes, bins and information pack in the coming weeks and in preparation for the start of the scheme the Council is urging everyone to read their information pack and check the very important collection date calendar to find out when their bins and box will be collected.

Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Clive Hudson said: "We have had an excellent take up of the new service in other areas achieving a 50% recycling rate - and we hope to see the same, if not better, in this final part of the scheme.

"We are totally committed to making this work with citizens and know a lot of people in the area are eager to get recycling. This is fantastic but we urge people to check their calendars and make sure they know when their first collections will be starting. Until the scheme begins on 21st October the team won't be equipped to collect householder's new recycling containers, so please remember that they won't be collected until the date shown on your calendar.

"We expect this roll-out to benefit from the lessons learned from previous phases and have listened to feedback to make it a smooth transition."

The properties join 88,000 households already taking part in the scheme. There will be a series of public roadshows held in local areas to support the scheme from the start of October. Roadshow details will be included in the information packs.

In the first week of this next phase of the scheme all households will either receive a household waste and garden waste collection or a collection of paper, cardboard, glass bottles, cans and plastic bottles.

To find out more about the scheme log onto www.wakefield.gov.uk/nwc see related links . Anyone who has questions of concerns can contact the waste recycling team by email at recycling@wakefield.gov.uk or by calling 0845 8 506 506.

 ENDS