Bath and North East Somerset Council is to introduce changes to the frequency of rubbish collections later this year. Most households across the district will change to every other week collections from 6th November.

Recycling collections, including food waste, will remain weekly, however,

collection days and times may change as routes are redesigned to ensure they are as efficient as possible.

In March, all households will be sent a personalised letter informing them how the changes will affect them directly. Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North) Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Over 70% of Councils across the UK, including our neighbours in Bristol, North Somerset, Somerset, Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire, already run every other week collections for rubbish in wheeled bins, and most have weekly recycling collections.

“They have all reported significant benefits, including a reduction in the amount of rubbish sent to landfill, an increase in recycling, reduced street litter and cost efficiencies.”

The Council will provide a 140 litre wheeled bin for the storage and collection of

rubbish. In a small number of cases where a bin is not suitable for a property or family situation, a larger bin or a re-useable rubbish bag to contain rubbish for collection will be provided.

From 9th – 13th March the Council will be sending all households a personalised letter informing them about the changes. To keep postage costs to a minimum, most letters will be included in the envelope with Council Tax bills.

The letter will outline if a property has been allocated a wheeled bin or re-useable rubbish bag for rubbish collection, and the frequency of rubbish collections. The letter is for information and no response is needed. If residents are concerned that the container they have been allocated is not appropriate for their specific property, or if despite recycling all they can, they feel that their household will not manage with the allocated container, they can complete an online query form.

The Council is writing separately to some residents including those who live in a registered House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) or who are currently registered for an Assisted Collection (those who need the help of crews to carry their rubbish and/

or recycling to an agreed collection point) as for some residents, wheeled bins will be much easier to manage.