Plans to cut bin collections explained
BBCBudget cuts could mean that bins in Shropshire are emptied once every three weeks, instead of every two weeks.
Shropshire Council said the move would save at least £1m per year as well as reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and cut carbon emissions from bin lorries.
Two options have been put forward as part of a budget consultation. The first would mean non-recycled waste bins emptied every three weeks, while recycled waste and garden waste subscriptions would continue to be collected every two weeks.
The second option would mean both non-recyclable and recycled waste moved to a three-week schedule, and the garden waste subscription collections would remain at two weeks.
The local authority said more than 20 other councils around the UK had moved to a three-week schedule.
It also confirmed there would be no reduction in council tax as a result of the reduction in service.
Will this encourage fly-tipping and vermin?
Shropshire Council said there was "no evidence to suggest that residents would see an increase in vermin or other pests".
It also said other areas that had introduced three-week collections had not seen an increase in fly-tipping and that the items most commonly found dumped on roadsides were bulky items or trade waste.
How will people find space in their bins?
The council said homes "recycling as much as possible" would have "plenty of space" in their regular waste bins.
It also promised extra recycling bins and bags, free of charge, for those who need them and said most homes would be able to manage with the increased demand for recycling.
The council does not currently collect food waste or soft plastics, and both have to go in the non-recycled bins.
But it noted there are government targets that would require it to collect both in the future.
What about homes that produce a lot of waste?
The local authority said it would not be providing larger bins to account for the longer wait for a collection.
But households with "special circumstances" can apply for one.
In addition, homes that produce non-clinical waste as a result of a medical condition can apply for a larger, 360-litre bin.
The authority said it wanted to hear concerns about homes that produce a lot of nappies or pet waste.
It said it could supply larger bins to homes with young children in nappies, after an assessment, but it also encouraged families to use reusable nappies.
The council also promised to put "support" in place for homes with lots of children using nappies or with other special waste needs.
A lot of pet bedding could go in garden waste, it said, and if people recycled more, "there should be space in the black bin for pet waste, which is non-recyclable".
What about flats and communal bins?
Shropshire Council said all communal collections and collections from flats would be reviewed if the changes are introduced.
It acknowledged "a less frequent waste collection may not work for some properties".
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