THOUSANDS of local residents whose refuse collections have not yet switched over to an alternate weekly collection will have to wait until the end of next month before the new system gets underway.
Phase two of the district councilÕs alternate weekly collection (AWC) Ð where recyclables are collected one week and non-recyclables the next Ð was scheduled to get under way this month but the start date has now been put back to October 28.
While Bordon, Petersfield and other areas are already on AWC as phase one, Alton and a number of BordonÕs surrounding villages are included within phase two. These include Hawkley, Kingsley, Selborne and parts of Blackmoor and Greatham.
East Hampshire District Council has blamed the delay on Òoperational mattersÓ and hopes to avoid the chaos which surrounded phase one of the project where hundreds of bins were delivered to households weeks after AWC.
EHDCÕs waste reduction officer Sarah Incher said: ÒDelivery of black recycling bins will start during the week commencing 9th September.
ÒWe estimate that it will take about six weeks to complete deliveries but anyone who has not received their bin by the 18th of October should contact the district douncilÕs waste reduction team for further advice.
ÒEach household in phase two areas will be sent a leaflet containing information on getting started with alternate weekly collections.
ÒThe leaflet also gives details of the garden waste collection service which is being introduced as part of the scheme.
ÒGarden waste is collected from a reusable plastic woven sack which we supply, and is collected fortnightly on the same day as recyclables. The service is available at a subsidised charge of £12 per sack per year.
ÒResidents who receive housing or council tax benefit are entitled to receive one free sack per yearÓ.
Householders will also receive an advice card showing whether their first collection under the new scheme is for recyclables (black bin) or refuse (green bin).
For more information on waste reduction, recycling or composting contact the Waste Reduction Team on 01730 234288 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected].