Residents divided over new bin collection rules
Claudia RobinsonResidents are split over changes being made to household waste and recycling collections.
Stockton-on-Tees Council said from 31 March, recycling and food waste would be collected weekly and other waste would move to fortnightly collections.
Jackie and Geoff Swainston, from Ingleby Barwick, said the introduction of two new bins for food, taking the total number up to seven, was "ridiculous", but Val and Nigel, from Yarm, said it was the "best thing that could happen".
Stockton Council's cabinet member for the environment Nigel Cooke said the local authority was doing all it could to make the "change as smooth as possible".
Jackie said the plans had gone "too far", while Geoff said a major issue for people would be having the space to put all seven containers.
"Where are we expected to place all of these things? It's absolute madness," he said.
Residents are to have two new food waste caddies, to go alongside a general waste bin, garden waste, a white bag for paper and card, a blue bag for plastic, cans and cartons, and a blue box for glass.
Val said she recycled "everything". "It makes me feel quite sad that people are not doing it, I think it is basically just laziness."
Nigel questioned whether there would be sanctions against people who did not recycle.
"If they are not going to do anything about it, it will just carry on," he said.
'Lot of conversation'
On social media, residents have said they are confused about the process of collecting the bins and questioned spending the money on hundreds of new bins.
Cooke said it was "a big change", and council engagement officers would be going around communities and talking with people about it.
He said: "The one which is causing a lot of conversation is the new food waste collection.
"We need to improve our recycling, it's not just about looking after the environment, although that is very important, it also has an impact on costs."
The councillor said money would be saved by splitting the recycling into specific categories to save time and resources sorting through mixed bins.
