Bin collections in North Hertfordshire are set to reduce from fortnightly to three-weekly under a new contract.

Following a procurement process, North Herts and East Herts councils have awarded their next joint waste, recycling and street cleansing contract to Veolia, starting from May next year.

Today (Tuesday, September 10), North Herts Council has announced that the two local authorities will work with Veolia "to introduce significant changes to waste and recycling services later in 2025", including a new three-weekly collection cycle.

The council says it is "to enhance recycling opportunities for residents", with most receiving a new bin. 

The service will involve three-weekly collections of:

  • Mixed paper and cardboard in one bin
  • All other dry recycling – glass, plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, cans and foil – with a new addition of plastic bags and film in another bin
  • General (non-recyclable) waste.

Currently, rubbish bins and recycling containers are collected on alternate weeks, while food waste is collected weekly.

North Herts Council says the weekly food waste collection service will remain unchanged.

Councillor Amy Allen, North Herts Council’s executive member for recycling and waste, said: "We are excited to be continuing our partnership with East Herts and developing a new partnership with Veolia, to help drive forwards an environmentally sustainable service for the future.

"I’d like to thank officers at both North and East Herts councils for the sheer graft put into the tender process. The process was rigorous, and we have ensured in these financial times that we will receive the best value for money for residents."

The councils will continue to work in partnership with current contractor Urbaser UK, which has recently been bought out by FCC, until the new contract starts. Staff on the existing contract will transfer over from FCC to Veolia.

Late last year, GMB Union members working for Urbaser at its Letchworth and Buntingford sites planned strike action over pay, before an 11 per cent pay rise was eventually accepted.

North and East Herts councils have operated a joint contract and shared service for waste since 2018 - the first of its kind in Hertfordshire.

Councillor Tim Hoskin, East Herts Council’s executive member for recycling and waste, said: "This new contract and service design gives residents the opportunity to recycle more materials and help the councils in their long-term ambitions to improve the environmental sustainability of services. As a result, we hope to see improvements in recycling performance over the coming years."

Ilana Shaw, general manager at Veolia, added: "We are delighted to form a new partnership with North and East Herts councils to target increased recycling, clean streets, decarbonisation, and social value initiatives to support the local communities.

"We look forward to sharing our extensive experience for a sustainable future as we support the authorities in achieving net zero by 2030 with key projects planned, which will enable residents to join Veolia and North and East Herts councils on the journey towards ecological transformation."