Proposed hikes in waste and recycling charges for Bristol residents are a “charter for fly-tippers”, opposition councillors warn. Conservatives and Greens fear many people will simply refuse to pay the higher fees – which include a rise of more than half for the cost of garden waste collections and new payments to replace lost or damaged wheelie bins and recycling containers – and will dump rubbish illegally.
The Labour administration says the increases are merely ideas at the moment to ensure the service helps to reduce Bristol City Council’s £20.3million budget gap and while galloping prices are hitting the waste industry particularly hard. Garden bin collections are set to go up from £32 to £50 a year, with discounts for direct debit and those on benefits.
Households who sign up to this can still get their Christmas tree collected for free but there will be a new £5 fee for non-subscribers to cover some of the £20,000 it costs the authority. Every replacement black bin and garden waste bin would cost £28 and delivery of recycling containers £2.50, while Environment Agency (EA) regulations that make it more expensive to dispose of upholstered furniture are behind a £25 bill to collect a sofa or £50 for a three-piece suite.
