100 signatures reached
To: Secretary of State for the Environment/ Environment Agency (Also, equivalent authorities in Wales, Scotland & N.Ireland)
Make private waste collection companies and their brokers join an Ombudsman
This petition is set up to change the rules so that all private sector waste collection service providers, and brokers, are required to consent to the scrutiny of an Ombudsman. This should be a condition of application for a waste carrier licence. Currently, only Local Authority waste collection services, and private organisations contracted by the Local Authority, are accountable to an Ombudsman.
Why is this important?
In 2017, a report by the Local Government Ombudsman called "Lifting the lid on bin complaints" revealed that 81% of complaints about council waste and recycling were upheld. Many complaints concerned issues linked to outsourcing of council waste collection to private companies. Complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman represent a small fragment of all disputes between service users and waste collection service-providers around the UK. However, it does have an important role in ensuring standards are met within waste collection, protecting service-user rights and reporting back to Local Authorities on best practice.
At present, individuals and business operators who use private waste collection companies, or brokers, for their waste removal or recycling have no opportunity to complain to an independent ombudsman who could adjudicate in disputes without the need for court action. This is unfair, and a missed opportunity to learn from mistakes in the industry. An Ombudsman can collect evidence-based data, and give guidance on best practice for the benefit of customers, public health and the environment.
At present, individuals and business operators who use private waste collection companies, or brokers, for their waste removal or recycling have no opportunity to complain to an independent ombudsman who could adjudicate in disputes without the need for court action. This is unfair, and a missed opportunity to learn from mistakes in the industry. An Ombudsman can collect evidence-based data, and give guidance on best practice for the benefit of customers, public health and the environment.
