Ealing Council
In spite of strong objections by the Society, other local organisations and many residents, Ealing Council introduced wheelie bins and fortnightly collections in June 2016.
The Society was pleased to support the Bedford Park Community Group’s campaign to inform Bedford Park residents of the special concessions negotiated with Ealing Council for the conservation area and surrounding streets. These enabled residents to opt for a smaller (120L) rubbish wheelie bin and also choose to purchase their own smaller recycling bin. The aim was to reduce the visual impact on the area and also allow households to choose bins more suitable for their individual needs.
Over 400 households opted for the smaller 120L rubbish bin and at least 200 chose to supply their own recycling bin or share with neighbours. The Council has since dealt with many more requests.
If you have opted to use a different size and colour recycling wheelie bin, it’s important that it conforms to the appropriate height and standard (EN840) and is clearly marked as “recycling” so that the council staff will empty it.
To request a different size or replacement bin, complete the online form or telephone: 020 8825 6000.
Hounslow Council
The Council introduced fortnightly general rubbish collections from Easter 2017 although recycling and food collections continue to be made weekly.
This involved the provision of new recycling and food containers for all households and the possibility of a larger 240 litre general rubbish wheelie bin being provided where householders are unable to manage with the 140 litre size.
We are continuing to monitor the provision and use of the containers.
Wheelie bins: reducing the visual impact
Now that both Ealing and Hounslow councils have introduced wheelie bins, the visual impact on the suburb has been very significant. In many roads, residents have no choice but to keep them permanently in their front gardens and we’ve been asked to suggest ways their impact on the street and in gardens could be minimised.
Natural screening with plants or trellis structures with climbers may be an option or, even simpler, positioning large pot plants, which can be placed on wheeled stands. You can also purchase wheelie bin covers with patterns that blend in with garden foliage.
There are various screens or shed-type structures on the market that might be suitable although many are too large for smaller gardens and houses with low front windows. For listed houses, Listed Building Consent should be obtained for any screening structures. All other houses in the conservation area need planning permission for anything that affects the front elevation or street side of the house, so permission is required for a permanent screening structure to be erected in front gardens. Houses in the wider Bedford Park area only need permission if the structure is part of the front fence and is more than 1 metre high. If in doubt or for more information, contact us at: planning@bedfordpark.org.uk.
Additionally, we can all help to reduce the visual impact by only putting bins out on collection day, keeping them off pavements, wherever possible, and removing any bins left on pavements as quickly as possible after emptying. Both Councils ask that residents put wheelie bins at the front edge of their property, but not on the pavement. It also helps if garden rubbish is only put out on the fortnightly collection day and not left out during the intervening week.
Check your collection days
Missed collections
Sometimes collections are missed either from individual household or from or a number of properties. To report your missed collection, you can use the online forms or telephone.
Ealing report a missed collection or telephone 020 8825 5000
Hounslow report a missed collection or telephone 020 8583 5555
Contact your Councillors
If there are any persistent problems with your waste or recycling service, we suggest you contact your local councillor:
Ealing:
Gary Malcolm: gary.malcolm@ealing.gov.uk
Andrew Steed: andrew.steed@ealing.gov.uk
Gary Busuttil: gary.busuttil@ealing.gov.uk
Hounslow:
Gerald McGregor: gerald.mcgregor@hounslow.gov.uk
John Todd: john.todd@hounslow.gov.uk
Robert Oulds: robert.oulds@hounslow.gov.uk
Contact us
If there are any issues relating to waste and recycling that you feel should be brought to our attention, please contact us: issues@bedfordpark.org.uk