Colchester Council to no longer host free waste drop-offs

Colchester Council estimates it will save more than £25,000 per year by axing its free Saturday household drop-off service.

The service allows residents to bring small loads of household items to the council’s waste crews for disposal on specific Saturdays during the spring and summer months.

It will cease to exist as of February 23 as the town hall works to save money amid the cost of living crisis.

Service cuts - a recycling centre (Image: PA)

It is estimated the sessions cost £1,058 to run, with the 24 week operation therefore running up a yearly £25.398 bill.

A report by the group manager of the council’s neighbourhood services, Rosa Tanfield, stated only one per cent of the borough’s population use them.

Decision - Colchester's town hall

The free scheme was only just reinstated in July 2021 after having been suspended throughout the Covid pandemic.

It was championed by Colchester’s Conservative group after they came into power two months prior.

The move to scrap it has been criticised by the council’s Conservative shadow waste boss Sue Lissimore, who said it will increase fly-tipping in Colchester.

“It was very well-loved by residents, particularly those who live on housing estates and those don’t have easy access to recycling centres,” said the Prettygate councillor.

Criticism - Sue Lissmore fears the decision will cause a spike in fly tipping (Image: Newsquest)

“Removing this scheme will cause more fly-tipping, especially on the housing estates and also in rural areas.

“It will cause more traffic issues and more pollution from cars travelling to Essex County Council’s site in Shrub End.

“People would plan their gardening around this service, knowing the freighter was going to be available.

“To say to people ‘we are going to take this away’ will certainly come as a surprise.”

The council is also planning to axe its free bulky waste collection service for some postcodes. 

This was a service available to areas considered to be the most deprived in the city. 

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “Subject to whether the decision is called-in, we will no longer offer a free bulky waste collection service for residents of limited postcode areas.

“However, the council will continue to offer a universal paid-for Bulky Waste Collection service.

"We would encourage all residents to visit Love Essex to find one of the local charities or organisations in Colchester that will collect large items for free if they can be reused.”