THEIR introduction caused controversy and debate — but slim bins are creating a cleaner greener environment and saving millions of pounds in waste say council bosses after the authority recorded its highest recycling rate.

Town Hall chiefs say that in the past three months more than half of all waste has been recycled rather than sent to landfill — and saved £3.4 million in waste disposal costs between June 2016, when slim grey bins were introduced, and June 2017.

Bolton Council set itself a target to achieve a recycling rate of 47 per cent this year and says the latest figures show, it has exceeded this in May, June and July.

The slim bins scheme was introduced to avoid £1.25m of waste disposal costs per year, but has more than doubled the amount it originally intended to save. There was also a reduction in the amount of grey bin waste collected.

In 2016, the council collected 45,885 tonnes compared to 54,923 in 2015 - 9,038 tonnes less than the previous year. This is the equivalent to 900 bin wagons full of waste that would have previously been sent for disposal.

The council say the savings have gone to been able to keeping school crossing patrols and respite care for the families of disabled residents.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “Our recycling rate has soared to more than 50 per cent over the last three months and we would like to thank residents for all their hard work in achieving this.

“Many residents that were not previously recycling are now taking part and food waste recycling has increased significantly.

“We are now working to ensure residents understand that more unusual items like foil, foil trays and empty aerosol cans can be recycled in the burgundy bin and liquid food cartons can be recycled in the beige bin.

“We are hoping we will hit our annual target of 47 per cent, and continue to drive savings and protect the environment as a result.”

Bolton was named as being in the top ten in the country for waste management initiatives. The authority was listed as eighth best by leading government publication, Government Business, last month.

For further information on what can be recycled in Bolton or to order free recycling containers visit www.bolton.gov.uk/loverecycling