Fury as more than one in ten UK councils could slash frequency of bin collections – will you be affected?
STINKY UK streets are set to get even grubbier as one in ten councils consider reducing bin collections.
Analysis by the Taxpayers’ Alliance today revealed 42 town halls want to cut back on waste services in a desperate bid to save cash.
The think tank found that almost five million people could experience a change to their bin collection schedule, while more than 800,000 face having recycling services reduced to fortnightly or monthly.
In Bristol, Carmarthershire and East Ayrshire councillors are weighing up changing residual waste pick-ups to once a month.
In North Ayrshire, Dundee and Angus debate is ongoing about shifting recycling to once a month.
Meanwhile, East Hertfordshire council is thinking about reducing general waste collections from fortnightly to three-weekly, while slashing bin sizes from 240 to 180 litres.
It comes after The Sun reported that from 2026 councils will be instructed to only hand out four containers, either bags or bins, to households and workplaces.
This will include a bin for non-recyclable waste, a bin for food waste mixed with garden waste, a bin or bag for paper and cards, and a bin or bag for other recyclable waste.
The major bin overhaul addresses the confusion caused by the Environment Act 2021, which classed glass, metals, plastic, paper and card, and food waste as recyclable materials.
As a result, councils distributed separate bins for each material alongside bins for non-recyclable waste.
Ministers believe that simplifying the system will improve recycling rates.
Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:“Residents will be left wondering what to do when the bin lorries don’t show up and the rubbish piles high.
“A shocking number of councils are considering cutting collections, which would leave people facing ever-growing mountains of waste.
“Town halls need to stop making a mess of basic services and focus on delivering what taxpayers pay for.”