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## Charged-for green waste collection  
service to deliver new revenue for Wyre Council

### Wyre Council serves a local population of over 100,000 in the area north of Blackpool. Serving 49,000 properties, Wyre Council is one of the boroughs in the Lancashire County Council area.

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#### The challenge

Local authority spending has reduced by a fifth since 2010. Wyre Council is part of a waste services cost-sharing agreement with Lancashire County Council and the other boroughs in the county. This is due to expire in 2018 and will result in a £980,000 reduction in waste and recycling services funding for Wyre Council.

#### The solution

In response to ongoing central government grant reductions, the Council decided to introduce a charged-for green waste collection service, having provided a free food and garden waste collection service since 1999.

Veolia worked closely with the Council to develop an in-depth awareness campaign prior to the launch of the services, informing residents of the change to a charged-for green waste only service. The campaign included online communication and a leaflet mailed to properties which achieved a sign up rate of 80% - more than double the Council’s expectations.

Free batteries and small WEEE collections were also introduced to reduce any negative perceptions related to the introduction of the charged-for service.

Veolia used in-cab vehicle technology to inform crews of green waste service subscribers and bin labels were used to educate non-subscribers, further driving subscriptions. Batteries and small WEEE are collected in bags at the kerbside and stored in underslung cages on the collection vehicles.

#### Value delivered

The smooth service introduction and excellent results are a result of the close partnership between Wyre Council and Veolia. This has effectively cut the deficit by 70%.



 

 

 



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   ![Veolia UK | Wyre Council case study key figure](/sites/g/files/dvc1681/files/styles/media/public/image/2018/07/veolia_uk_wyre_council_case_study_key_figure.png.webp?itok=CG1enwVq)