Major changes to bin collections for Wokingham have come into force this week, as the borough implements the use of wheelie bins for the first time as services have been reduced to once a fortnight.
General waste and recycling will now be collected on alternate weeks.
Wokingham Borough Council has now delivered more than 60,000 black wheeled bins to households. These replace the blue bags, while recycling will still be collected in green sacks.
Wheeled bins hold 180 litres, which is equivalent to about two full blue bags worth of rubbish. Food waste collections will remain weekly, and option garden waste collections will remain fortnightly.
The council said they will not collect overly full bins with their lids not closed, as well as additional rubbish.
The council first proposed the changes due to what is described as unprecedented financial pressures, new government legislation and climate emergency goals.
Fortnightly collections should increase recycling across the borough by 10%, which would reduce carbon emissions by 2,400 tonnes per year, according to the authority.
It also said it would save more £1 million per year by 2025/26.
Wokingham joins many authorities across England collecting waste in this way – with 85% of councils having adopted a fortnightly alternation between general waste and recycling.
According to the council, these changes mean the national average of recycling rose by around 30%.
The changes have proved unpopular with some residents – particularly over the ‘eyesore’ wheelie bins.
It was the topic of a question from Peter Humphreys at the recent Wokingham Borough council meeting on July 25.
He asked Cllr Jordan Montgomery, executive member for environment and climate emergency, whether it would be possible to have a smaller bin.
He was told that the only sizes possible are the 180-litre regular bin, or a larger one of 240 litres.
Campaigner Simon Chapman has also taken issue with wheelie bins being put on the street, and the obstruction this could create.
The council has told residents not to block the pavement with bins, but Mr Chapman claimed this comes “ .. with no clear guidance or any mention of fines”.
Alternative arrangements have been made for some residents living in flats, or living in properties with no space for the bins.
A calendar showing which collections fall each week until July 2025 has also been published by the council.
