The 16th March is the initial deadline for submission of expressions of interest in the government’s Weekly Collection Support Scheme. This is a challenge fund which will make up to £250m available to support local authorities in delivering better weekly collections of household waste and recycling.

The fund is open to bids from English local authorities that wish to introduce, retain or reinstate a weekly collection service while demonstrating an improvement in environmental performance (for example, increased recycling rates) and value for money.

However, some local authorities have expressed concern that only those local authorities which already collect residual waste fortnightly will qualify, rather than those which are currently making or planning the switch.
Some have also said they were unconvinced by Mr Pickles’ claim that weekly residual waste collections would tackle ‘bin blight’.