Bins workers join in-house team ahead of fortnightly collections switch
Bin and recycling services in Wolverhampton have moved back in-house ahead of a switch to fortnightly collections.
Council workers will now handle bin collections and tips in Wolverhampton after the local authority decided to take charge of services from private firm Amey.
However, the city council has yet to reveal a firm date for when fortnightly collections will start.
Bosses say the switch to two-week pick-ups will come in before the end of the year and have vowed to make the transition ‘as smooth as possible’.
Some 170 workers have transferred over to the council.
Staff have moved to the council after the decision was made earlier this year to end the waste collection partnership with Amey.
Councillor Steve Evans, the city council’s environment boss, said: “I’d like to welcome all our new members of staff to the council and I’m pleased to have them as part of our in-house team.
“We have an important job ahead with the change to the bin collection service and we’re determined to make the transition from weekly to fortnightly collections as smooth as possible for households across Wolverhampton.
“People should know that we have good, experienced, hard-working staff as part of the waste and recycling department. I’m confident we have the right people to deliver when the new service is rolled out in the coming months. We will make sure residents are informed so they know about the changes in advance.”
The in-house bin collection crews will be part of depots at Hickman Avenue, Crown Street, Shaw Road and Anchor Lane.
Ben Burton, part of the Hickman Avenue depot crew, said: “I’m happy to be part of the council. Being employed by the local authority now makes me feel like my work directly helps to keep the city clean and tidy. I enjoy what I do, I find it rewarding. And now I get to do it as part of the council’s team, which is great.”
The Labour-run council has faced criticism from opposition members for not naming a firm date for when fortnightly collections will start. Wendy Thompson, leader of the Conservatives in the city, said she felt it was ‘unfair’ that residents hadn’t yet been told a date.
The shift from weekly collections sparked public outcry amid fears of overflowing bins and more fly-tipping.
Residents have been assured they will be ‘kept up to date’ about when the changes are due to be introduced.
