Bristol MP Raises Concerns Over Proposed Bin Collection Cuts

A Bristol MP spoke out about bin collections. Karin Smyth is worried about reduced rubbish pickups. The council wants bins emptied less often and may switch to every three or four weeks. Smyth represents South Bristol and sent letters to her area’s residents, noting current bin collections are unreliable.

Smyth thinks council leaders should rethink this plan. Big families and disabled people worry her most, and the council’s own assessment raised these concerns. Smyth fears problems could worsen; missing a four-week collection could impact families badly.

The council already approved a budget with cuts amounting to one million pounds in collections. The council started a public consultation, and Smyth hopes cuts aren’t already decided. She will watch developments and update people.

Green Party councillors want more recycling, and Smyth also supports better recycling options. She thinks people expect that exchange. Council leader Dyer said they got more money because the Labour government helped, with a 5.2% rise. Smyth wants to see better waste plans.

Bristol City Council has a coalition government, led by the Green Party through a committee system. The council faces public disputes over waste collection, but Green leaders say no decisions are final and they are listening to feedback.

The cut reflects collections every three weeks, similar to nearby areas’ plans. Councillor Fodor, who leads the environment and sustainability committee, said they haven’t decided yet.

Fodor asks everyone to fill out the waste survey to improve Bristol’s recycling rate. Analysis shows black bins have recyclable items; forty percent of the contents could be recycled, and much of that is food waste.

Bristol needs to boost its recycling to 65% by 2035 to meet government targets. More recycling income would make it easier. Reducing bin collections helped before, twenty years ago.

The council is listening to Bristol’s citizens and funded street cleaning in response. Fodor said they listen before making changes.