In Lancaster, our household prides itself on recycling diligently and composting our food waste in our own garden. Despite these efforts, our grey bin is consistently full by the end of the current two-week collection cycle. Now, the Lancaster City Council is proposing to change the grey bin collections to every three weeks, a move we believe will exacerbate existing waste management issues.

For many residents, grey bins overflow even with the current fortnightly collections. Shifting to a three-week schedule is likely to result in even more overflowing bins, leading to increased nuisance and potential health hazards in our community. While the council suggests that the introduction of food waste bins will alleviate this problem, for many of us who already compost and recycle extensively, this change will have little impact on the fullness of our grey bins. Also, in the current financial times, many families cannot afford to waste food, and so this is another factor reducing the impact of food waste on the content of the grey bins.

Moreover, extending the period between collections is anticipated to contribute to a rise in fly tipping and littering. Overflowing bins and excess waste can attract vermin, such as rats and seagulls, posing significant health risks and potentially increasing the city's pest control expenses. Studies reveal that inadequate waste management can lead to pest infestations, and an increase in litter can harm local wildlife and pollute our green spaces.

The proposed change threatens to affect the cleanliness and safety of our local environment. We urge Lancaster City Council to reconsider this plan and explore alternative solutions such as optimizing current recycling systems, increasing public educational campaigns on waste reduction, or even piloting a gradual transition to ensure community preparedness.

We understand the need for sustainable waste management practices; however, any changes to the current system should not come at the cost of our community’s environmental health and safety. Sign this petition to call on Lancaster City Council to maintain the two-week bin collection schedule and collaboratively explore more effective waste management solutions with residents.