Residents have aired concerns after changes to bin collections will see paper and cardboard bins emptied every four weeks rather than fortnightly.

The local authority has announced households will soon have a new bin collection day as well as changes to waste collections.

The new changes will come in from Monday, July 15 and residents will be kept informed.

Routes have been revised by the council to increase reliability, enable more efficient waste collection and improve customers service.

Within the revised routes there will be a change of bin collection day, and paper and cardboard bin collections will change from every two weeks to every four weeks.

The council has said that, over the years, a significant reduction in the purchase of newspapers, magazines and paper in general has meant waste collection crews have found many beige bins are not full on collection day. 

Collecting less than full bins does not deliver maximum efficiencies for the service, particularly when considering the cost of operating a bin wagon.

However, since the announcement was made, residents have shared their concerns and said they have way more paper waste now than a few years ago and are concerned about overflow due to the bins already being irregularly emptied.

People have also said this is likely to increase fly-tipping.

One resident took to social media and said: “Four weeks for cardboard and paper? Guess we'll be seeing a lot of bonfires then?

"Ours is almost always full by the end of two weeks. Why? Because, as already pointed out, we may be buying fewer newspapers and magazines but everything you buy online comes in a box or paper envelope.

“This is another ridiculous decision that will bite them at some point when people just start dumping excess by the roadside.”

Another resident said: “The fact that ours have been sporadic and practically four weeks since Christmas anyway means this isn't surprising.

“More fly-tipping, rats, fires and general mess lying around for us all then!

"Something else to look forward too. Well done Bolton.”

In response, Cllr Richard Silvester, executive cabinet Member, climate change and environment at the council, has explained the decision.

He said: “The changes to bin collections will result in a much improved and efficient service.

“Bin rounds have not been modified since 2010 and since then around 5,000 new properties in the borough have been added to the rounds making them unequal and inefficient for our crews to get around.

“The new rounds will be much more manageable and equal. It needed to be done.

“Residents bin days will change in due course and every household will receive an information leaflet through the door with their new schedules.

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“In relation to the beige bin going four weekly, we debated this proposal at the budget meeting of the council in February and a majority of councillors voted in favour.

“We know that since 2017, the amount of paper collected has reduced on average by 14Kg per household per year.

“Crews are seeing many beige bins that are not full or only half full when presently collected every two weeks.

“I myself live in a block of flats and six households share one beige bin which is not full after two weeks.

“Many council's all around the UK are already on four weekly paper and cardboard collections including the whole of Lincolnshire so this approach works elsewhere.

“The changes will save over £400,000 per year on fuel and resources for collection if it were kept at every two weeks, and this fuel saving will assist in carbon reduction, in line with the council's climate change strategy.

“If any resident however is struggling because their beige bin is full after four weeks, they can apply for a second beige bin.

“I would recommend every resident where they can, to look at the question and answer FAQ's page on the Bolton Council website regarding the changes and to read the leaflet which they will receive through the door.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “The changes on the frequency of beige bin collections were part of a public consultation.  

“Over the years, a significant reduction in the purchase of newspapers, magazines and paper in general has meant waste collection crews have found many beige bins are not full on collection day. 

“Collecting less than full bins doesn’t deliver maximum efficiencies for the service, particularly when considering the cost of operating a bin waggon. 

“If needed, there are simple steps residents can take to free up space in the beige bin. Cardboard boxes can be flattened or deconstructed (including cereal boxes) and any larger pieces of cardboard can be cut down to fit in the beige bin.

“If this advice has been taken and there is still not enough space, residents should call 01204 336632 to request a second beige bin. There is an administration and delivery fee of £12.

“All household waste presented for collection must be contained within the correct bin. Loose or bagged rubbish placed on the pavement will be considered fly-tipping and will not be collected by the council.

“Anyone who doesn’t dispose of their rubbish correctly could be issued with a fixed penalty fine or face prosecution.

“Residents should avoid burning paper, cardboard or any other waste as this is damaging to the environment, contributes to local air pollution, and can cause a nuisance to your neighbours.”

To ensure residents have clear information on what is happening, all households will be issued with a new bin calendar which will list all collections up to December of this year and include some reminders on what to put in each bin.

For more information about bin collections and recycling, including some FAQs around the changes, visit www.bolton.gov.uk/bincollections.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.