Liberal Democrats have called for an extra green bin collection to take place this month after residents criticised York Council.

Labour run City of York Council’s controversial changes to garden waste collection mean that the last green bin collection before April 2014 has already been completed. However, leaves are still falling from trees across York and a mild autumn has seen late grass growth and some evergreens continue to need trimming.

Lib Dems have been swamped by complaints from residents who say leaves and garden waste are piling-up. Meanwhile, council officers have admitted that the garden waste which have been collected last winter will end-up in landfill this winter – causing a further rise in landfill tax for the council.

Latest figures reveal that York is currently failing to meet any of its key recycling targets and the amount of waste being sent to landfill is increasing. This increase will see the cost of ‘landfill tax’ rocket to £3,918,960 – a £581,360 or 17% rise on 2012/13.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on City of York Council speaking at last night’s Cabinet meeting, said:

“I am calling on the Cabinet to organise an additional citywide garden waste collection this month. I have been approached by a number of residents in recent days who are frankly bemused that the last green bin collection of the year has been completed while leaves are still falling from the trees across York and after a mild autumn has seen such late grass growth.

“Residents are faced with a choice of burning their garden waste, driving across York to the remaining recycling centres or putting it into their grey waste collection – which will further increase waste sent to landfill and of course increase landfill tax.

“A special garden waste collection is the only sensible option and would show residents that the council is listening to local concerns and determined to take action to reduce landfill tax.

“Cost has been cited as a reason not to act, but given the rising landfill tax costs – it would surely be better for the council to spend the money on collecting the green waste rather than on the additional landfill tax which would result in not collecting the green waste.

“I would urge the Cabinet to act on this issue.”