Recycling is changing across Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough Council. To improve the quality of recycled materials collected from homes, a new fleet of refuse vehicles has arrived to collect paper and card separately from other dry mixed recyclables such as glass, tins, and plastic.
A fleet of five new 26-tonne Dennis Eagle Twin Pack refuse vehicles, designed to collect separate waste and recycling streams at the same time, has been delivered to Lichfield and Tamworth Joint Waste Service by Specialist Fleet Services (SFS). Following a competitive tendering process in 2016, SFS was chosen as the service’s vehicle provider in a six-year contract hire agreement, with an option to extend for an additional six years.
Bob Sweetland, Managing Director, SFS said: ‘We have enjoyed working with the Joint Waste Service over the past 5 years and we have developed an excellent working relationship. The transition from the councils’ previous operators was very smooth and we are delighted with the resulting improvements in vehicle technology and availability. These vehicles will help to ensure the new collections are efficient as well as facilitate the Service’s commitment to improving recycling rates.’
As part of the contract SFS has already provided 22 replacement vehicles to replenish the Service’s refuse, recycling, and street cleansing fleet. The contract also includes the maintenance of the vehicles at Lichfield District Council’s workshop facilities.
The new recycling service is currently being rolled out and recycling will continue to be collected every fortnight. New waterproof blue bags to store paper and card are being delivered to residents. Councillor Ashley Yeates, cabinet member for climate change and recycling, said: ‘It is vital that we do everything we can to improve recycling rates across Lichfield and Tamworth and we are confident this measure will make a significant difference.’
