![Concerns raised as Bolton Council announce changes to bin collections 18182481](https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/resources/images/18182481.jpg?type=mds-article-962)
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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