£800k bill for wheelie bins
Council tax payers look set to foot an £800,000 bill to roll out recycling bins across the district following the death of a worker who was crushed by a recycling lorry.
The district-wide move confirmed by Cannock Chase Council will mean householders have three wheelie bins.
The decision follows the inquest into the death of recycling operative Craig Reaney, 18, of Kelvin Drive, Chadsmoor, who was killed when he fell under the wheels of a recycling lorry on February 26.
Concerns have been expressed by the Health and Safety Executive that manually lifting recycling boxes was too tough for workers and left them fatigued.
A recycling wheelie bin trial began in March this year. Involving 185 households in 16 streets, it has proved to be successful.
A report on moving to wheeled bins for dry recyclable waste is now being prepared to be heard by the council on December 9.
Councillor Tony Willams, Cannock Chase Council environmental sustainability leader, said: "We have been looking to replace the boxes and bags currently used for dry recyclable waste for some time now.
"We have always wanted to move to the wheeled bin for dry recyclable waste and paper products. However, the initial set-up costs are substantial. To provide and deliver an additional wheeled bin to each household in the district would cost around £800,000."
Currently, residents use two wheeled bins – for non-recyclable waste and kitchen and garden recyclable waste.
Andrew Haigh, South Staffordshire Coroner, is to write to the authority asking for the changes following Monday's inquest into Mr Reaney's death.
One theory is he was tired and slipped as he tried to jog alongside the refuse lorry.
