Give it a few months and all this fuss will be forgotten

jscott@thekmgroup.co.uk Ashford Borough Council bosses say they are confident that issues with the new recycling service will be forgotten in six months’ time.

While some residents are still waiting for their bins to arrive, other are getting to grips with what can be recycled and which items should go in each bin.

Speaking about the new Biffa waste collection service, portfolio holder Cllr Jessamy Blanford (Con) said: “I think the team have been working very hard on this.

“Biffa have missed out some bins unfortunately but we’ve been giving people who were missed out preference for those who want bins instead of sacks or sacks instead of bins.”

She added: “We’re treating every house as an individual and we’re trying to sort everything out to meet everyone’s individual needs. I’m sure in six months time we will be wondering what all the fuss was about.”

Council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson (Con) said: “By and large it’s rolling out fairly well but it would be foolish to think it’s running smoothly.

“There are bound to be snags and hiccups with any service you are rolling out. We are trying to deal with individual needs, that’s one of the things that makes it a little different, so that takes a little bit more time.”

He added that he was looking forward to the council climbing up the national recycling league tables, although he felt it unfair that Ashford was rated so poorly despite burning its waste for energy rather than sending it for landfill in the past.

Any residents who are still waiting for their bins can email recycling@ ashford. gov.uk.

Questions about the service can also be submitted via the council’s Facebook page or via Tweeter @AshfordCouncil.

For more information go to www.ashford.gov.uk/waste

Picture: Gary Browne FM2686664 New bin collection service in Singleton, Ashford

Ashford Council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson – ‘it’s rolling out fairly well’