A PETITION calling on weekly bin collections to be re-introduced in Bolton has been launched after the council announced controversial plans to use smaller wheelie bins.

The plea comes after The Bolton News reported how Bolton Council is planning to introduce slimline general waste bins at a cost of £2 million in a bid to encourage people to recycle more.

The online petition has set a target of collecting 1,000 signatures, and has so far reached more than 800.

Niall Webster, from Farnworth, who set up the petition, said: "Here in Bolton we have rubbish collected one week and all recycling collected the next.

"This is apparently a money saving measure, but is it saving money if the streets and rubbish bins are overflowing?

"My opinion is that the recycling could and should stay fortnightly, but the general rubbish should go back to weekly collections.

"On recycling days, two or three wagons come round for the separate bins anyway — to me a false economy.

"If you agree that Bolton should get weekly refuse collection, please sign."

Bolton Council introduced fortnightly bin collections in May, 2013, which were aimed at improving recycling rates and reducing disposal costs.

The new plans for smaller bins involve replacing residents’ existing grey waste bins, which hold 240 litres of rubbish, with smaller 140 litre bins.

The new bins will cost the council an initial £2 million, but it is hoped the initial purchase will help to save between £1.2 and £1.5 million each year in disposal costs, and will encourage people to recycle properly and more efficiently.

It is not yet known when the new bins will be rolled out, but it will happen within the next two years.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton Council's cabinet member for environmental services, said: “There is a weekly waste collection in Bolton, it is just that people separate their rubbish.

“If people’s grey bins are getting too full they need to look at what they are putting into them.

“People might sign the petition, but I think avid recyclers who separate their rubbish would object to it.”

Cllr Peel has previously said the changes were a “no brainer” and that people recycling properly do not need a 240 litre bin.

The move to smaller bins has already been piloted by neighbouring councils in Trafford, Oldham and Stockport.

In Bury, general waste bins have been collected once every three weeks since October, 2013, which caused a backlash from residents, but has been ruled out in Bolton.

  • The petition is here.