Reports in this newspaper have revealed the frequency of garbage collections and the mix of services, including the kerbside bulky goods clean-up, are under review, but they have also shown how difficult it is to tailor a service that suits everybody.

An overwhelming response to two stories this week on social media and on our website provide a valuable insight for Orange City Council. The question is whether this ratepayer feedback comes too late to influence contract negotiations?

It is apparent from the hundreds of comments we have received that shopping, recycling and waste disposal habits vary enormously from household to household.

And it is certainly not the case that larger families necessarily require more red bins for garbage that cannot be recycled.

Nor is it true that every household was concerned a fortnightly garbage service would cause odour problems in the warmer months, though it was the most common fear expressed.

In the absence of any detailed survey of households council may be relying on the volume of material collected in garbage, recycling and green waste bins to fine-tune the next garbage contract.

While ratepayer opinion is divided on some aspects of the service it should be clear that increasing the frequency of recycling collections won’t make it many enemies.

What it might be concerned about is ignorance of the range of organic waste, particularly food scraps, which can be put in the green bins people associate most with garden waste. 

This is borne out by the council’s own concerns that compost it has made lacked enough organic matter from the kitchen.

The clearest signal of all has of course been cost. Whatever the waste reduction and disposal goals the council wants to reach must be achieved without increasing the already significant charges.