New wheelie bin collection policy gets go-ahead

A new bin collection policy is to be rolled out across North Yorkshire after being approved by councillors.

The scheme will see households given three wheelie bins - one for paper, one for cans, glass and plastic, and one for other waste - with recycling collections made every four weeks and other waste collected fortnightly.

However, at a meeting on Wednesday during which the change was given the go-ahead, some councillors said it was not suitable for homes with small or no gardens, or for narrow streets.

Councillor Greg White, executive member for managing the environment, said the new policy sought to achieve a "consistent approach to waste and recycling to get the most from our resources".

The full meeting of North Yorkshire Council was told that a successful trial had been held in Selby and the scheme would now be gradually rolled out across the county over several years.

A public consultation had found that twice as many residents were happy with wheeled bins rather than boxes or bags for recycling waste, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But the meeting heard a bespoke kerbside service could be adopted in areas where two recycling wheelie bins were not appropriate.

Councillor Rich Maw said there were areas of Scarborough where "back alleys are already lined with wheelie bins and there is simply no appetite for change".

He said he welcomed the policy in principle, but added: "My view and that of many of my residents is in fact 'no more bins'."

The new policy would be introduced gradually on a district-by-district basis, the meeting heard.

White said residents would receive more information before the changes came into effect.

He said the policy aimed to "deliver high performance to our residents and businesses, and achieve value for money".

"I take the point from some of the members on the coast about congestion and that the current system is preferred," he said.

"To be frank, nobody wants change. But once it's in place, it will work and it worked in Selby, so we can make it work on the coast."

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