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Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Asked by Lee AndersonReform UKDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 11 March 2025UIN 34317

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had correspondence with councils planning on reducing the frequency of bin collections.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Through Simpler Recycling, all householders will receive a comprehensive and consistent set of waste and recycling services. This will enable householders to recycle as much waste as possible and to frequently dispose of bad-smelling food waste, which will be collected from all households at least weekly.

Defra recognises that as recycling services are expanded and improved, local authorities may want to review residual waste services to ensure they are providing best value for money in line with local need. The government’s priority is ensuring that households’ needs are met, and we expect local authorities to continue to provide services to a reasonable standard, as they do now. Building on existing and new legal duties, Defra recently published guidance to ensure that local authorities consider certain factors when they review services, to ensure that reasonable standards are maintained.  Defra wrote to all English local authorities when this guidance was published.

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