Wheelie bins in Braintree may cause space concerns

From June, Braintree households will receive a blue-lid wheelie bin for glass, cartons and plastics and a separate bin for paper and cardboard, bringing most homes to four receptacles; some residents say they do not have room for more bins.

Sylvia Thorogood recycles regularly but Braintree Council does not currently collect glass. From June, the council plans to deliver a blue-lid wheelie bin for glass, cartons and some plastics to every household, plus another wheelie bin for cardboard and paper. That will bring most homes to four receptacles. The council says local authorities must begin collecting a wider range of recyclable material. Key details: - From June, a blue-lid wheelie bin will collect glass, cartons, plastic bottles and bags. - A separate wheelie bin will collect cardboard and paper, meaning most households will have four receptacles. - Recycling bins will be collected once a month; general waste collections will move to every three weeks rather than fortnightly. - Food waste will be collected weekly, a legal requirement across England from 31 March. - Residents currently put recyclable waste in plastic sacks for kerbside collection every two weeks. - Some households have been offered smaller boxes or the option to share bins, and some residents have raised concerns about limited space. Summary: The new collection scheme is scheduled to start in June, with food waste collections legally required from 31 March. Residents have raised space concerns for homes with small gardens while the council says the change aims to increase recycling and divert more material from landfill or incineration.