National park residents told of wheelie bin rollout

Residents of a national park are being notified of the final phase in a rollout of new wheelie bins.

New Forest District Council is phasing them in as part of a plan to end the use of plastic sacks to collect waste and recyclables and increase recycling rates in the area.

Leaflets are being sent to households in Hythe, Fawley, Lyndhurst, Marchwood, Totton, and the surrounding areas, explaining the new service.

Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said earlier phases were "already delivering real benefits, helping us create a cleaner, more sustainable collection system".

New Forest District Council is among the last local authorities not to use wheelie bins.

About 35,000 households will receive bins in the latest phase, with collections starting in May.

Residents will get a black-lidded 180 litre wheelie bin for rubbish, a green-lidded 240 litre recycling bin, and an outdoor and an indoor caddy for the new food waste recycling service.

Some residents have opposed the plan, calling it unsightly and costly.

The national park's free-roaming ponies and donkeys have also been seen scattering waste from the new bins, prompting a warning about the spread of serious animal diseases.

But Mr Blunden said: "Thanks to residents' efforts, we're now diverting 80 tonnes of food waste every week from incineration to recycling.

"Early results show our overall recycling rate is improving, and the introduction of wheelie bins is contributing to cleaner streets and providing better working conditions for our hard-working waste and recycling crews."

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