News / Politics
Labour hit back after Greens accuse them of ‘scaremongering’ over black bin collection
The Green Party have accused Labour of “scaremongering” as claims and counter-claims continue to be made about the proposals to change the frequency of black bin collections in Bristol.
But Labour have hit back, calling the Greens’ claim “disingenuous, counterfactual nonsense” and saying that “if we could convert their hot air into renewable energy, we could power the city”.
A consultation is currently underway which includes three options to either collect non-recyclable waste every four weeks, every three weeks or make no change and continue to have it collected every fortnight.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol City Council say that their aim “is to increase the amount our city recycles to meet national targets and deliver real benefits for our city”.
A petition started by Bristol’s Labour group leader, Tom Renhard, against monthly bin collections has now received more than 8,700 signatures.
A YouGov survey also revealed that 61 per cent of people feel “very negative” about their council changing to collecting household general waste rubbish bins once every four weeks.
In a post on social media, the Green Party said “Labour have been talking rubbish”.
It said: “The council want you to tell us how to make recycling easier. But Bristol Labour have been scaremongering about monthly bin collections. Head over to the consultation survey and help us improve Bristol’s waste collection.”
Bristol’s deputy council leader, Green Party councillor Heather Mack, admitted there have been some “misunderstandings” around bin collection.
She said: “First, I want to reassure you that there have been no decisions made to go to monthly bin collections.
“What we are doing is asking your views on waste and recycling as part of wider plans to re-evaluate our rubbish and recycling collections…
“We know the service was patchy last year and as a new Green-led council, we want to try to improve that…
“The previous Labour administration in Bristol underfunded our waste collection leading to a lot of problems that we see today.”
The Green Party’s national co-leader Zack Polanski has also been forced to defend Bristol City Council’s proposals.
Speaking on LBC, he said: “This is just a consultation. And I’m not surprised. I’ve seen how some Labour councils operate. That they’re surprised about what democracy looks like.”
Overflowing black bins are a common sight across Bristol – photo: Martin Booth
Renhard said: “The Bristol Green Party’s claim is clearly disingenuous, counterfactual nonsense.
“If we could convert their hot air into renewable energy, we could power the city.
“They launched a consultation on collecting black bins once every four weeks, had their council leaders endorse plans for less frequent collection, and put forward a budget that has a £1m a year cut to Bristol Waste baked into it.
“These budget cuts are not achievable without reducing services.
“They’ve already decided to collect black bins less frequently, they just haven’t admitted that yet.
“Residents know the council only ever consults the public on something it intends to do.
“If the Greens had no intention to move to four-weekly bin collections, they wouldn’t have included it their consultation.
“Despite years of Tory austerity, the former Labour administration increased funding in Bristol’s waste management services, totalling £46.6m by this year’s budget, an increase of £7.5m since 2021.
“The Greens’ first year in charge has been defined by shocking policy proposals, zero accountability and screeching U-turns.
“It’s time they binned this dreadful policy.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
