Hackney Council has become the first local authority in the UK to pledge its commitment to providing a good waste and recycling service by signing the Waste Collection Commitment.

Earlier this year, WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) joined with the Local Government Association to invite local authorities to make a commitment to the first set of principles for a good waste and recycling service.

Based on research on residents views about what they like and dislike about their existing services, and in consultation with local authorities, the Waste Collection Commitment sets out in plain English 10 principles that form the basis of domestic waste and recycling collection services.

As part of the principles the Council will: explain clearly what services residents can expect to receive; provide a reliable collection service; collect as many materials for recycling as we can and explain what happens to them; tell residents in good time if we make changes to services, even temporarily; and respond to complaints we receive about our service.

The Commitment was signed by Councillor Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods on behalf of the Council on 5 November 2009. It aims to help local authorities improve residents satisfaction with how their rubbish and recycling is collected and eventually boost recycling rates.

Cllr Laing said: “We all need to do our bit to help improve the environment, and the signing of the Waste Collection Commitment further demonstrates the Council’s commitment to provide services that will help continue to make Hackney a cleaner and greener borough.”

Last month, the Council introduced a massive expansion of recycling to include even more materials, following developments in collection, sorting and reprocessing technology and infrastructure. This means Hackney now has one of the best recycling services in terms of range of materials that can be collected.

We are currently asking residents for their views and opinions to help plan the way we deal with rubbish and recycling over the next few years. As part of the consultation the Council also aims to get feedback on current satisfaction levels with our services; identify opportunities for improvement; and encourage further participation to minimise waste in Hackney.

To have your say on waste and recycling in Hackney, please complete our short online survey by 18 December, visit: www.consultationfinder.com/hackney and click on Recycling Service Consultation.

For more information contact the Recycling Hotline on 020 8356 6688 or email: recycling@hackney.gov.uk