By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-11-16 17:16:18 | Updated at 2024-11-24 12:56:21
1 week ago
Locals have been left fuming after a council announced that it plans to cut bin collections to just once per month.
Bristol City Council could become the first in Britain to collect black bins just once every four weeks, according to leaked documents.
The Green-run council is set to launch a consultation next week on plans to reduce collections from the current fortnightly schedule.
The proposed changes come as the council grapples with rising operational costs and aims to boost recycling rates across the city.
The Green-run council is set to launch a consultation next week on plans to reduce collections from the current fortnightly schedule (stock pic)
PA
If implemented, the move would mark a significant shift in waste collection practices for Bristol residents, who currently receive bi-weekly black bin collections.
The council's environment and sustainability policy committee chair, Martin Fodor, emphasised that all options remain draft proposals at this stage, with no decisions to be made without first consulting residents and businesses.
According to council documents, Bristol's waste and recycling service is facing additional costs of between £5-9million per year.
The rising expenses are attributed to changes in regulation, increasing operational costs, inflation and investment requirements.
The council warns that without cost reductions, they "may need to reduce services and performance standards."
Officials note that these costs could be reduced if the city can improve its recycling rates and reduce waste output.
The consultation, reportedly starting Monday, will ask residents for their views on reducing black bin collections from fortnightly to either three or four weeks.
However, the council has yet to officially announce the consultation's launch date or specific details.
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The council warns that without cost reductions, they "may need to reduce services and performance standards"
PA
Local residents have expressed significant concerns about the potential changes to bin collections.
Hannah Winter, 51, called the proposal "a little crazy," warning it would be particularly challenging for average families.
"They already shrank the size of the bins and for the average family it won't work," she said.
Kelly Haskins, 45, raised fears about increased fly-tipping, stating: "People will be fly tipping... It seems bonkers."
Parents of young children voiced particular concerns, with Grace Billingham, 35, highlighting the additional waste generated by households with children in nappies.
However, some residents were more supportive, with Pat Moran, 47, saying that monthly collections wouldn't affect his family significantly, noting: "We tend to be filling the recycling a lot faster than we fill the black bins."
Concerns about foul-smelling bins and proper food waste disposal were also raised by multiple residents.
Local residents have expressed significant concerns about the potential changes to bin collections
PA
Bristol's move comes as other councils across Britain face similar financial pressures and waste collection decisions.
South Gloucestershire Council has already approved a shift to three-weekly collections this week.
Cheshire East Council is also considering extending collection intervals, citing the need to save £91m over four years to prevent bankruptcy.
However, the Cheshire East proposal has met strong opposition, with 84 per cent of 6,257 consultation respondents objecting to the changes.
A council report highlighted public concerns about "an increase in vermin, pests and smells" due to overflowing bins.
Currently, most councils across Britain operate fortnightly black bin collections, with some still maintaining weekly services.
The trend towards less frequent collections reflects growing financial pressures on local authorities and efforts to increase recycling rates.
