Changes to Bolton bin collection days start today.

And to ensure residents have clear information on what’s happening with the changes, all households have been issued with a new bin calendar which lists all collections up to December 2024 and includes reminders on what to put in each bin.

Beige bin collections, for paper and cardboard, will move from every two weeks to every four weeks from this week.

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.

It is said that collecting less than full bins does not deliver maximum efficiencies for the service, particularly when considering the cost of operating a bin wagon.

Cutting beige bin collections from two weeks to four weeks is one of a raft of cost cutting measures agreed as part of Bolton Council's most recent budget.

In addition to the revised routes, nine new bin wagons will be in use from today with a further ten vehicles arriving in the coming weeks.

The new vehicles will replace the existing fleet as part of an ongoing fleet replacement project.

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Bolton Council sends details out on changing bin collections

Fitted with more energy efficient engines, the new vehicles will use less fuel per mile travelled and produce less CO2 emissions.

In addition, the bin lifters on the back of the wagons use a new technology that enables further energy efficiency.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, Cllr Richard Silvester said: “Having not seen any changes since 2010, our waste collection service has needed an overhaul for quite some time.

“With thousands of additional properties in some areas, routes needed to be revised.

“By reconfiguring our routes, all residents will benefit from an improved service.

“In addition, the new vehicles will further improve efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.

“As new vehicles are received, we are systematically decommissioning our older, unreliable vehicles.

“I know the revised collections of paper and cardboard have caused some concern amongst residents, but I want to assure everyone that these measures have been taken to provide a more efficient and reliable service.

“Flattening cardboard boxes is an easy way to free up space in your beige bin and flattened cardboard can also be left at the side of the beige bin on collection days.”

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

Bin collection days are also listed on the council website: www.bolton.gov.uk/nextbincollection.