District rolls into new era as bins replace bags

New bin collections are due to start on Monday in one of the last council districts still using bags to collect general waste destined for landfill.

The 45,000 households of East Cambridgeshire have been receiving new black-wheeled bins and food caddies from a delivery base at Littleport station car park.

Food waste will be collected weekly and general rubbish fortnightly, while residents can also recycle soft plastics, such as food wrapping and carrier bags, in blue bins.

The district council's Conservative leader Anna Bailey said: "We know many residents are embracing the changes and looking forward to the benefits they will bring."

She said the new bins were "easier to move, cleaner and tidier for residents to use".

"We realise there are a lot of changes coming in – and some residents may have to change their bin days – but with your support, we really can help create a cleaner, greener East Cambridgeshire," she said.

The council said it had wanted to give residents black plastic bins for some time but decided to wait for the government to clarify its new rules on weekly food waste collections for all homes in England.

While it did not meet the 31 March deadline to introduce them – blaming high demand for specialist vehicles and bins from other councils up and down the country – it targeted 1 June to initiate wholesale changes.

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