The revelation came when journalist Wesley Stephenson analysed Waste and Resources Action Programme data and found that there were 39 different sets of rules in operation among councils – apart from the three with no collections.
The council was berated on social media but responded: “The article’s not entirely accurate, we’ve been recycling plastic for a good number of years through our bring sites, and plans are in place for kerbside collections next year.”
From next March, when a new waste services contract comes into force, the council is bringing in a plastic service in partnership with Kent County Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
The Tonbridge body claims that the introduction of a £40 annual charge for the collection of garden waste will help to pay for the new service.
Cllr David Lettington, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services, says: “I’m delighted that we will be able to offer a vastly improved kerbside collection service for our residents.
“For some years, residents have been asking us to collect more materials for recycling from home and the new contract will give us the opportunity to do this.
“Charging for green waste collections (as the majority of local authorities now do) means that we can greatly expand our kerbside collections to include plastics, cartons, cans and glass, and a separate weekly food waste collection.
“We will also be able to offer other enhanced services including the kerbside collection of textiles, small electrical items and household batteries.”
