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Find out about recycling, composting and other environmental schemes in your borough.

We’ve introduced new waste collection and street cleansing contracts. Here’s everything you need to know.

Who are the new contractors?

We have awarded the new waste collection and street cleansing contract to Urbaser Limited.

Urbaser is one of the largest environmental services providers in Europe, working in partnership with many local authorities across the UK including the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Bournemouth, East Herts, North Herts, Gosport, Waltham Forest and Burnley.

The council has appointed Continental Landscapes Ltd (CLL) as the borough’s new grounds maintenance contractor, carrying out grass and hedge cutting, shrub maintenance, planting and bedding maintenance and leaf clearance.

CLL has over 27 years’ experience in the sector, and has grown to be one of the largest specialist providers for high quality parks and open spaces. Their clients include Westminster City Council, the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames and Leeds City Council.

For more information, please visit: www.urbaser.co.uk and www.continental-landscapes.co.uk

How long is the contract for?
The contracts started in April 2020 and will run for nine years.

Why are the contracts changing?
The existing contracts end in March 2020. Cabinet agreed in 2017 to set up a cross-party procurement board to oversee the procurement of the new services.

The procurement was undertaken in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the EU Procurement Directives.

Reduce and Reuse

Reducing and re-using our waste, choosing ‘greener’ options or avoiding certain products, are all environmentally better ways of dealing with our waste.

The benefits are:

  • it helps to conserve limited raw materials and the energy required to extract them;
  • it reduces what we dispose of via landfill and prevents the environmental impacts of that waste.

Love food, hate waste
One third of all food purchased is thrown away. Visit love food hate waste for tips on storage and recipes to use up leftovers.

Shop smart

  • Make a list – only buy what you need!
  • Avoid over-packaged items.
  • Avoid disposables and choose items that can be used again.
  • Buy refills so you can refill containers. Use a water jug instead of buying bottled water.
  • Hire or borrow items that you rarely use.

Reduce your waste
Junk mail – Reduce junk mail by registering with the Mailing Preference Service (for free). Alternatively fix a polite notice to your door asking for no free newspapers or circulars.

Use reusable containers, for example lunch boxes and flasks, instead of using cling film and foil. Avoid individually packaged items.

To reduce paper usage, set printers and photocopiers to print documents double-sided. Use shredded paper for animal bedding or compost it at home.

  • Charity shops – Find new homes for unwanted clothes, books, furniture and quality bric-a-brac.
  • Furniture – Reuse schemes provide safe, clean, affordable furniture and household items to those who need it. For local information search the Hertfordshire Directory. National information can be found at the Furniture Recycling Network or Emmaus.
  • YMCA Charity Shops accept good quality second hand furniture and electrical items. Nearby shops include Knebworth, Letchworth, Hertford and Hemel Hempstead. The stores even operate a free van collection service for large items, ring 0300 3232 300 for more information.
  • The British Heart Foundation accept a wide range of second hand good quality items. They also operate a free furniture collection scheme. Visit the British Heart Foundation website for a list of acceptable items or to book a collection.
  • Scrapstore – Based in Welwyn Garden City, it provides access to a range of materials for use in arts and crafts. You can donate clean, safe materials.

Reuse household items

  • CDs – Old, unplayable CDs can be used as reflectors for gateposts or as bird scarers.
  • Worn or damaged clothes can be cut up and used as cleaning rags.
  • Send your old inkjet cartridges (no other type of cartridge is accepted) to The Red Cross Inkjet Appeal to be reused.

Buy ‘recycled’ – closing the loop
‘Closing the loop’ involves people buying recycled products. This is important because it makes recycling worthwhile. Buying recycled generates a demand, which in turn makes recyclable materials valuable. It increases the need for more materials to be collected and the facilities to reprocess them.

The need for change
Landfill has become common practice, yet more responsible ways of managing waste are required. Spaces in which to bury waste are becoming scarce and the long-term environmental impacts regarding landfill are well known, such as the seepage of toxic liquids and gas. Also, we are wasting potential resources by burying them in the ground.

The Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (all of the councils in Hertfordshire) have developed a waste strategy for the county in view of current legislation, targets and financial penalties. This outlines plans to reduce waste growth and better manage the waste that is produced.

S.C.R.A.P fly-tipping

Over the last year in Welwyn Hatfield, we have collected on average 180 fly-tips per month – this equates to around 6 per day.

This number has reduced by 10% compared with the previous year. Follow the S.C.R.A.P code and help us to scrap fly-tipping for good.

S

Suspect all waste carriers – do not let them take your waste until they have proven themselves to be legitimate.

C

Check their waste carrier’s registration details, then verify them by searching the Environment Agency website or by calling 03708 506 506. Note downthe registration number ofthe vehicle used to take your waste away.

R

Refuse unexpected offers to have any rubbish taken away. If you do not trust that someone who you have spoken to will be disposing of waste legally, report their vehicle registration and name to the Environment Agency.

A

Ask what exactly is going to happen to your rubbish and seek evidence that is going to be disposed of appropriately.

P

Paperwork should be obtained. Make sure you get an invoice, waste transfer note or receipt for your waste removal – this should give a description of the waste and provide the waste carrier’s contact details.

Remember, YOUR waste is YOUR responsibility. Together, let’s #Scrapflytipping.

Click here for more information

Adopt A Road

The Adopt a Road scheme is for willing participants to carry out works which are supplementary to the council’s work, helping to keep our borough looking clean and green, in and around areas where you live or work.

The scheme is open to individuals, groups and businesses who would like to get involved in supporting their neighbourhood and maintaining and improving the local environment.

There are no set rules, you would not be directed by the council and you can choose how involved you want to be. Good examples of tasks include bulb planting, helping neighbours who are unable to keep their gardens tidy to do so and community litter picks. How often, when and where is entirely your choice. All we ask is that participants are mindful of health and safety, update the council of any actions and ask for help if needed. We will need you to sign an agreement form with regard to this.

The council will provide support and guidance where needed and loan the use of some equipment where available. Contact us for more information and to get started!

Welwyn Hatfield Healthy Hub

Your one stop shop, supporting and signposting you to your amazing local health and wellbeing services.

Visit the Welwyn Hatfield Healthy Hub website for our current health and wellbeing news and the latest healthy hub bulletin. 

To stay up to date with the latest health and wellbeing news, events and training sign up to receive the Healthy Hub bulletin.