Mid Sussex food waste collection trial put on hold

Back in February the pilot project for weekly household food waste collections was given the go-ahead by Mid Sussex District Council.

Around 3,000 households in three areas were set to take part in the trial of a 1-2-3+ collection system.

This would have seen food waste and absorbent hygiene products collected separately every week, blue-topped recycling bins emptied every two weeks, general waste collections every three weeks and the paid-for garden waste service every fortnight.

However due to the coronavirus lockdown and the challenges it has presented to local authorities the pilot has been put on hold for now.

In a joint statement Jonathan Ash-Edwards, leader of Mid Sussex District Council, and Deborah Urquhart, cabinet member for environment at West Sussex County Council, said: “In these extremely challenging times for everyone in our communities, we have taken the decision to delay the start of the 1-2-3 collection trial in Mid Sussex.

“This is because we are required to maintain core waste services in the interests of public health. However, our commitment to this trial remains resolute and we plan to commence it once Government advice confirms it is safe for us to do so.”

The trial would have been the first of its kind in West Sussex.

Work carried out in Mid Sussex showed that food waste is by far the biggest element in general household waste bins, constituting more than 41 per cent of contents by weight.

While the trail is seen as important to drive an increase in recycling rates, separate food waste collections could soon become a Government requirement for all local authorities.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.