ODS, in partnership with Oxford City Council, has launched a new recycling and waste management trial at some flat sites in Oxford to improve recycling and reduce contamination.
ODS, which manages domestic recycling and waste collections on behalf of Oxford City Council, is exploring a new approach to waste management at six blocks of Council flats across the city.
Blocks of flats typically share bin stores for recycling, rubbish, and food waste, often leading to high contamination rates. This trial aims to address these issues by testing new approaches.
The initiative is part of a six-month trial, which will see the Council and ODS trialing different approaches to waste management, to encourage increased participation in recycling efforts and reduce contamination, and identify which approach works best.
The Council and ODS have identified six blocks of flats that have recognised concerns around recycling contamination and overflowing waste. The blocks of flats that are participating in the trial are:
- Henry Taunt Close
- Field Avenue (blocks 113-139)
- Hawksmoor (blocks 1-12)
- Williamson Way (blocks 2-24)
- Mason Road (blocks 69-103)
- Wolseley and Riley House
At the start of each trial, residents in participating blocks of flats were visited by Recycling Officers, and received a letter and informational leaflet detailing what can and cannot be disposed of in each bin. Signage located near the bins at each block has also been updated to reflect the trial.
ODS and the Council will be monitoring and reviewing feedback from residents as well as recycling and waste collection crews. Each approach will be assessed before making any decisions about permanent changes or expanding the new approaches across the city.
There will be no change for blocks of flats that are not participating in the trial, and these residents are encouraged to continue to follow their regular recycling and waste advice.
“We can all improve our recycling habits. We are committed to increasing recycling rates and reducing costly contamination, which is why we’re trialing these new approaches. We will be working closely with residents in the blocks of flats throughout the trial and will be asking for their feedback before making any permanent changes.”
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies (including ODS)
"We're excited to launch a new recycling initiative aimed at tackling the unique challenges faced by residents in Oxford who use shared bins. Our pilot programme, starting at six flat sites, will trial innovative strategies to reduce fly-tipping, cut down on contamination, and make recycling easier. If successful, we would look to expand this approach to other flat sites across the city."
Michelle Bradbury, Recycling Team Leader, ODS
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