Review of city centre bins in York

City of York Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods will be asked to approve plans to reduce and remove the number of litter bins in York's city centre this month.

At a meeting on Tuesday 15th May, Cllr Dafydd Williams will be asked approve option two in decision session report that will reduce the overall number of litter bins provided and standardise the style of bins.

There are currently over 100 litterbins within the city centre foot streets and some of the adjoining areas, and many are in need of replacement or refurbishment.

A litterbin review was carried out by the council earlier this year and tied in with the Reinvigorate York scheme, which aims to de-clutter and make improvements to ensure the city's present and future prosperity is sustained.

A part of this review was to trial a new solar powered bin called the Big Belly Bin in the city centre, which proved to be more efficient than a traditional bin by holding up to eight times more waste.

On average the Big Belly Bin, which was trailled in Kings Square, was emptied only 14 times every week and dramatically changed how the council managed litterbins in that area. Figures from the trail saw no increase in litter levels and reduced the number of times the council emptied bins during the week from in the location from 105 to 14.

Compared to when there were six traditional bins in the square, they were being emptied 105 times every week during the peak tourist season.

If the plans at next week's meeting are approved, then the number of bins in the city centre will be reduced to 53. This will make way for 13 new Big Belly Bins, which hold eight times more waste than traditional bins, plus they're less time consuming, far more efficient and much cleaner.

Cllr Dafydd Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods Services, said:

"During a trial of a solar powered compactor bin in Kings Square last year, in which we removed six standard bins, we saw no increase in litter levels.  Reviewing the amount of and where bins are located will ensure our streets look and feel de-cluttered and cleaner.

"With over 7.1 million tourists visiting York every year we need to ensure our bins can withstand the demand and the solar powered Big Belly Bins hold eight times more waste than traditional bins, plus they're less time consuming, far more efficient and much cleaner. For these reasons, we really need to consider reviewing all bins in the city centre."