RESIDENTS CONCERNED ABOUT RAT PROBLEMS

RESIDENTS say they are scared to use forthcoming food waste collections because of worries over rats, a council committee has heard.

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local democracy reporter

A new law means councils have to collect food waste from households weekly from March 31 next year, which the government says will let people “dispose of odorous organic waste frequently”.

Redcar and Cleveland councillors discussed the buildup to the new waste collection at the council's climate and environment scrutiny and improvement committee on Monday, October 27.

Councillor Ceri Cawley said the containers for food waste were designed so that rats could not open them: “I think we've all seen the comments on social media with ‘what a daft idea, our streets are going to be laden with rats and trash’. These are anti-rodent caddies and they can’t get in there if you put things in there correctly.

"I think we need to make sure we get that messaging right, because at the moment there’s thousands of residents out there scared to even attempt it because of the rat problem we already have. They think this is just going to increase it.”

Robert Hoof, assistant director for neighbourhood services, growth, enterprise and environment, said the frontline service change had to be made by law: “We have to because it's the law... We have no choice, we have to implement it.”