BBC Local radio, TV and online are to come together today (Wednesday 25th February) to focus on stories around waste collection issues across the country – with BBC Local Radio chatting to social media star No.1 Bin Man.
It’s a hot topic for many across the country, with ftroubled collections, fly tipping, and recycling under the spotlight nationwide. This comes after a BBC Local investigation revealed that almost a quarter of councils will miss the official deadline to introduce weekly food waste collections across all homes.
From 6am, BBC Local radio, regional TV, and online stations will have in-depth reports, real-life stories, and interviews dedicated to the issues communities are facing around waste where they live. TikTok star The No.1 Bin Man will be chatting to BBC Local Radio stations from 10am to 12pm with his tips and support.
BBC News online will also livestream a recycling centre as they sort through rubbish in real time. The “Trash Cam” allows viewers to witness how their waste is organised in real time and see the work that facilities across the country do every day.
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The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said “every household in England” would receive weekly food waste collections from next month under the Simpler Recycling legislation.
However at least 71 councils told the BBC during the investigation that they will not meet that deadline. Another 31 have been granted agreements allowing for a later start date, meaning at least a third of councils will not collect food waste from all homes by March.
Councils blamed the delay on a demand for new specialist vehicles, as well as issues with funding, despite over £340m in grants from Defra.
A Defra spokesperson said: “From March, every household in England will receive weekly food waste collections and will have the same materials collected for recycling.
“This will end the postcode lottery of bin collection and help keep our streets cleaner, while empowering local authorities to continue to deliver services in the way that works best for their communities.”
A BBC Live page will also share the latest breaking stories from the day in real time from 7am.
