New Food Waste, Recycling and Rubbish Service Launched in West Cornwall

Residents in west Cornwall are set to experience significant changes to their waste management services starting today, July 1, 2024.

Cornwall Council has introduced a new system aimed at reducing waste, increasing recycling, and fostering a sustainable environment. This rollout is the third phase of a county-wide initiative following its earlier introduction in mid and south east Cornwall.

Key Features of the New Service

The new waste collection service for west Cornwall includes:

• Weekly Food Waste Collections: Households will now have their food waste collected every week.
• Fortnightly Rubbish Collections: General rubbish will be collected every two weeks using either a wheelie bin or a reusable protective sack.
• Fortnightly Recycling Collections: Recycling will continue to be collected every two weeks in the existing recycling bags and boxes.
• New Collection Days: Most residents will see a change in their collection days, with some also experiencing a shift in their recycling collection weeks.

To support these changes, residents have been provided with:

• A silver kitchen caddy for easy separation of food waste.
• A green outdoor collection caddy for storing food waste until collection day.
• A wheelie bin or reusable protective sack for general rubbish.

Properties with shared or communal bins will receive appropriate containers to suit their specific needs.

Areas Affected

The rollout covers a broad area in west Cornwall, including Penzance, Marazion, Sennen, St Buryan, St Just, St Ives, Hayle, Helston, the Lizard, and surrounding areas.

Information and Assistance

Residents are encouraged to check their new collection schedules, which have been posted to them. For further details, they can visit Cornwall Council’s website and enter their postcode. This will provide information on their specific collection days and which weeks to put out rubbish, recycling, and food waste.

Carol Maclellan, Cornwall’s service director for regulatory services, emphasised the importance of these changes. “Our new food waste, recycling, and rubbish service will help residents in west Cornwall increase their recycling and cut down on waste, as well as recycle their food waste for the first time. All this helps to lower our carbon footprint, lessen our impact on the planet, and contribute to a sustainable Cornwall.”

Residents can find tips on how to start recycling their food waste at Cornwall Council’s food recycling page. For any questions, the waste team can be reached at Cornwall Council’s waste changes page.

Future Rollouts

The next phase of the rollout will begin in north east Cornwall next month, with residents set to receive their new bins ahead of the autumn collection change. Until then, areas not yet affected by the new system will continue with the current rubbish and recycling service until notified otherwise.

Cornwall Council extends its gratitude to the residents of mid and south east Cornwall for their cooperation, which has already led to a significant increase in recycling rates.

Stay informed and make sure to adjust to the new waste collection system to contribute to a cleaner, greener Cornwall.