New bins prepare for waste change

Wheelie bins are to be distributed to 65,000 homes in Swindon next month for the start of a new fortnightly waste collection service.

It follows the introduction of weekly recycling collections.

The idea is that as more people are encouraged to recycle, general waste bins will only need to be emptied every two weeks.

But 5,500 homes deemed to be unsuitable for wheelie bins will be given special blue bags in which to put their waste.

Final element

Councillor David Wren said: "Now that residents have become used to the new weekly recycling collections, we are now ready to introduce the final element of our new waste service - the wheelie bins.

"The criteria which have been used to decide which homes will receive the bins and which won't are clear and simple, and every street has been assessed.

"We mustn't lose sight of the two key reasons why we're making these changes.

"Firstly, we have to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill, otherwise each and every one of us will be hit in the pocket and secondly, it's damaging to the environment to bury re-usable materials."

The new arrangements are being introduced after a successful trial in west Swindon.