Cleaner streets, more regular waste collections and improved monitoring of service delivery will form part of the new and improved waste and recycling contract, expected to be approved by cabinet later this month.
Residents have played a crucial role in shaping the contract. Their feedback, such as not wanting a reduction in waste collections and an improved street cleaning service, were listened to and acted upon.
The new eight-year contract, which will benefit both residents and the council, will begin on 1 April 2025. In line with commercial sensitivities the supplier of the contract will be named after the final decision has been confirmed.
The contract results from a thorough procurement process and will include waste and recycling collections in the borough, as well as street cleaning, winter maintenance of footpaths and the upkeep of the waste vehicle fleet.
The alternate weekly household waste and recycling collections, as well as the weekly food waste collections, will remain unchanged. However, flats above shops will now receive an additional waste collection each week, resulting in two collections per week. Additionally, there will be a new minimum weekly collection of food waste from all council housing estates.
These changes are based on feedback from residents and updates in legislation. Improvements to the contract include targeted street cleaning, better coordination of emptying bins, ensuring no bin bags are left out overnight, and a new graffiti removal service, part of the Executive Mayor’s pledge to restore pride in Croydon.
The new agreement will involve an improved contract management approach, enabling council officers to work closely with the new service provider to understand and address the needs of the local area directly. This will allow the officers to be fully integrated as part of the local community area they are assigned to monitor.
“I have listened to residents’ concerns about the borough’s current contract and feel positive that what we are proposing for the future is a better deal for Croydon.
“As part of my business plan, I committed to making our streets and open spaces cleaner, so that Croydon is a place residents and businesses can feel proud to call home. I believe this contract is a big milestone to achieving that commitment.
“I am also committed to making sure that this contract is well managed and if residents experience problems, we will be able to swiftly resolve them, which will be a massive improvement on the current arrangements.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
