Thousands of comments being analysed as part of NFDC’s draft waste strategy work
Almost 4,000 residents and organisations gave their views on New Forest District Council’s draft waste strategy in a public engagement from 12 November until 20 December 2020. The Council invited comments on the draft strategy which sets out how to reduce waste, increase recycling rates and enable residents to recycle more items from home. As part of making an improved service possible, the draft strategy includes a proposal for a wheeled bin service and alternate weekly collection - where general waste is collected one week, recycling the next - is introduced. Councillor Alison Hoare, portfolio holder for environment said; “We’ve been pleased to see so much useful discussion in our public engagement around our draft waste strategy which looks at the changes we can make to reduce waste and increase recycling in the district. “Thank you to everyone who has given us their views. The responses are now being analysed by an independent research company and we will report back on the findings later in the New Year. The feedback you’ve given will help us shape a waste strategy that works for the local area and our environment.” The council’s cabinet recommended on 4 November 2020 that the draft strategy be worked on in more detail to see how a new service could operate well for the area. 3786 people gave their comments through the council’s website, with more than 200 comments submitted from the paper engagement packs, by letter, email and from local partner organisations. Together with a detailed business case for proposed service changes, the comments received will help the Council assess whether the proposals can be taken forward in a final waste strategy. Any changes to the waste and recycling service would not be implemented until 2022 at the earliest. For more information and to read the draft waste strategy go to https://newforest.gov.uk/wastestrategy