Concerns over council's three-week bin cycle plan

A three-week bin collection cycle could be introduced in Shropshire as part of the authority's plans to save £1m of its £23m target from its budget in the next financial year.

Shropshire Council has asked residents to respond to its budget consultation, where among the options proposed was the collection of non-recycled waste every three weeks.

The consultation, which began in December, will run until 26 January, but people have already raised concerns the collection cycle would be too long.

The council published its draft medium-term financial strategy on Tuesday, after examining the government's financial settlement announced in December.

The council's consultation on the proposed £8.5m in savings also includes reducing the opening hours of the museum and castle in Shrewsbury, switching off some streetlights for part of the time, and changing park and ride bus services in Shrewsbury.

The public has reacted to the proposals on social media. One person wrote that "rotting waste" in a bin outside their home for three weeks would be "extremely unhygienic".

They had responded to a post on Shropshire Council's Facebook page. The person added: "How can you expect most average households to go 3 weeks without the black, non-recyclable bin being emptied?

"Unless you have plans to provide a bigger bin that holds the extra week's worth of rubbish, then no, this isn't doable.

"Not only that, but the rotting waste sat around property for 3 weeks is extremely unhygienic."

The consultation offers residents two bin collection options. The first would mean the non-recyclable waste bin would be emptied every three weeks, and recycled waste would continue to be collected every two weeks, as well as garden waste subscriptions.

Option two would mean both non-recyclable waste and recycled waste on a three-week schedule. Garden waste subscription collections would remain every two weeks.

Another Facebook user was also unhappy with the options. They wrote: "Don't like either option. Waste every two weeks, recycling every three weeks if needs be."

One person asked if the changes meant they would be allowed an extra black bin.

Shropshire Council responded to the comment to say it would not.

They said: "If you're recycling as much as possible, we believe a three-weekly collection would provide plenty of space for most households.

"As part of the consultation, we particularly want to hear about any concerns regarding the storing and dealing with waste, as we know a less frequent waste collection may not work for some households.

"We already provide a larger 360-litre bin for families of six or more permanent residents."

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