A SHAKE-up in the way household rubbish is collected has been defended by refuse collectors.

The new scheme has come under fire from householders because their grey wheelie bins are only emptied once a fortnight.

They say their rubbish will pile up.

But those responsible for collecting the waste say it will take time for people to alter their habits and get used to the changes.

In the weeks when the grey wheelie bins are not emptied, new recycling containers will be emptied.

Every household in the borough will have a green box for cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles and foil trays, and a white bag for paper.

Houses with gardens also have green bins for garden and vegetable waste.

Jimmy Walton, a recycling operative for Bolton Council, has this week been collecting the first green boxes from Westhoughton with two colleagues.

He said the changeover had gone as well as could be expected in the town.

He added that people will now have to do more.

"It's been OK," he said. "Some people are still leaving their grey bins out, but it's going to take a few weeks to settle down.

"I have worked for the council for 27 years, and this is the biggest change we have seen in waste collection. It's early days yet and people just have to get over the initial confusion."

Sarah Catterall, a recycling officer for Bolton Council, went out on the round to speak to residents and explain the new system.

She said: "We are trying to answer people's questions, and on the whole it's not been too bad.

"It's a big change and everybody's just getting used to it."

Alan Ferguson, aged 79, of Drake Hall, Westhoughton, said he had put all his bins out because he was unsure which bin was being collected.

But he said he was in favour of the new recycling scheme, and believed everybody should do their bit.

Thomas Leeson, aged 70, of Georges Lane, Horwich, said he was in favour in principle, but added that the changes had been confusing.

"I would not be surprised if you find a lot of fly-tipping," he said. "Not every family has a car to go to the tip in."

The new scheme has been introduced for 28,000 homes in the council wards of Horwich North-east, Horwich and Blackrod, Westhoughton North and Chew Moor, Westhoughton South, Heaton and Lostock, and the Hulton ward.

It will be gradually extended to the rest of the borough.

Households are being notified by letter on which dates containers will be emptied.

For further details, call 01204 336633 or visit www.sort-it.bolton.gov.uk