A project that would bring changes to waste and recycling collections, reduce costs and increase recycling rates in East Kent has reached another milestone.
The Joint Services Waste Project involves Canterbury, Dover, Shepway and Thanet Councils working on a ground-breaking partnership with Kent County Council. It would introduce common collection arrangements for waste and recycling in all four districts over the next four years - starting in Dover District and Shepway in October 2010.
The aim is to provide improved services at a lower cost and increase recycling rates. The project predicts savings of up to £1.5 million across the four districts and the County Council each year from 2013, with the recycling rate in East Kent predicted to reach or exceed an average of 48%.
The joint waste project was given the green light yesterday (25 November) by the East Kent Joint Arrangements Committee, made up of lead Councillors from each of the four Councils. The proposals must now go to each Council for formal approval.
Proposals include providing weekly collections of food waste, with fortnightly collections of recyclables and household waste, and include the use of wheeled bins.
The waste and recycling proposals are part of a wider East Kent shared services project, which aims to provide cost effective services across East Kent and make the best possible use of the Councils' resources and staff expertise.
DDC Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste and Planning, Cllr Nicholas Kenton, said: "Everyone is aware of the financial pressures on Councils at the moment, and we believe the East Kent shared services project will be a significant contributor in helping us make savings. The waste project should allow us to deliver a more effective service to householders in Dover District, and to continue to recycle more, improve street cleanliness, and protect the environment for the future."
