Sandwell’s recycling issues could lead to significant financial losses unless improvements are made soon. The council is under pressure to act.
Sandwell: The recycling situation here is pretty dire. The council’s recycling rate is so low that it could cost the borough millions if things don’t change. They’re one of the worst in the country, and that’s a big deal.
Right now, only about 29% of rubbish is recycled, which is way below the national average of 41%. This puts Sandwell at 309th out of 343 councils in England. Ouch!
The government has given Sandwell over £7 million to help improve recycling, but there’s a catch. They need to show they can run an effective recycling service. If they don’t, they risk losing that money.
At a recent council meeting, officials expressed real concern. They know that if they don’t step up their game, they could lose that grant. It’s a tough spot to be in, especially with rising costs for disposing of waste.
One council member, Alan Lunt, pointed out that the more they recycle, the less they’ll have to pay to get rid of non-recyclable waste. It’s a no-brainer, really. But changing habits isn’t easy.
Another council member, Cllr Keith Allcock, believes this is a chance to improve services. He’s optimistic that they can make a real difference for the community. Starting in April 2026, households will need to separate their waste into four different containers. That’s a big change!
There’s also a plan to switch from weekly to fortnightly collections, which the council says will save a lot of money. But it means some staff cuts and fewer bin lorries on the road.
In the end, the council is hoping for a modest increase in recycling rates. They believe that even a small improvement could save them a lot of cash in the long run. It’s all about making recycling work better for everyone.
