New collector for rubbish

Previous contractor Verdant has been taken over by Greenstar UK.

The purchase means that Greenstar has taken on the seven-year contract Verdant had with Arun District Council.

This lasts until 2012 and involves weekly kerbside collections of household waste from almost 68,500 properties as well as fortnightly collections of newspapers and garden matter.

Residents have been assured that the change of operator will have no effect on their collections.

Representatives from Arun plan to meet Greenstar's officers this month to see if improvements can be made to the collections.

Verdant has been picking up about 1,000 tonnes a week. Recycling material accounted for 37 per cent of that total.

Arun's member in charge of the service Cllr Paul Wotherspoon said it was business as usual.

'The current Verdant management will remain in place throughout the transition period which should ensure a smooth exchange and retention of the excellent standards in waste management currently being delivered.

'We have assurances from all parties that the good work and improvement in performance will not only continue but will push further forward under the new management,' he stated.