New recycling, waste collection and street cleaning contract begins in borough

Tunbridge Wells residents will see new recycling, waste collection and street cleaning vehicles and crews out and about on the streets from 30 March as waste management company Urbaser Ltd begins its collection and cleaning services contract for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The Council is working in partnership with Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council having entered into an eight-year contract which will see enhanced recycling services for residents. In Tonbridge and Malling the contract started on 1 March.

Although the contract starts in March, initially the councils will continue services as normal while the details of the roll out of the new contract are finalised. The enhanced service, which will give residents a kerbside glass recycling collection, opt-in chargeable garden waste collection and a weekly food waste collection, will begin from Monday 30 September.

Plans are in place to keep residents fully informed of the changes to their collection services including full details on the Council’s website and through the residents’ magazine, Local, and leaflets delivered to all households.

Roadshows are being held across the borough so that residents can come along and find out more about the new service and have their questions answered. The first event is being held from 10am on 12 April in the pedestrian precinct in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Residents will find information about their nearest event on the Council’s website, and in their Local magazine.

Councillor Dr Ronen Basu, Sustainability portfolio holder said: ‘We told residents some time ago we wanted to see kerbside glass recycling included in the new recycling and waste contract and I am very pleased that we achieved this. The new contract will make life easier for residents and aims to improve recycling rates.’

Mark Pigott, Business Development Manager, Urbaser Ltd said: “This is an exciting partnership and we are looking forward to introducing service improvements across both boroughs to help residents to recycle more.”

Javier Peiro, Managing Director, Urbaser Ltd says: “We are delighted to be working so closely with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council to improve the levels of service across both boroughs. We believe the expanded services will help to generate a significant rise in local recycling rates, benefitting residents and the environment alike.”