THOUSANDS of homes will soon be provided with two brand new bins as Colchester Council starts rolling out its new waste policy.

12,000 households across Colchester will start receiving new bins for non-recyclable waste and garden waste recycling from June 5. 

All new bins will be delivered by June 16.

Every household due to receive the new wheelie bin collection will have already received an A5 postcard explaining how the service will work and what can and cannot go in each bin.

Once the bins arrive, the first collection from wheelie bins will be week commencing June 19.

The council claims the 180 litre black bin for non-recyclable rubbish should be adequate for most households, but residents have the option of applying for a larger size if they have a large quantity of non-recyclable rubbish which means they are unable to meet the fortnightly limit.

The 240 litre brown bin is for garden waste recycling, replacing the white sacks. Residents can choose not to have a bin for garden waste. If they opt out it will mean they won’t receive a garden waste collection.

As part of the council's new policy, around 17 per cent of waste collection days will change.

All residents will receive a new recycling calendar, which is being posted week commencing June 5. This will include the collection day and other details on what can be recycled, alongside a reminder of which container to use.

Food waste will continue to be collected weekly.

Residents will use their existing recycling containers for paper, plastics, cans, glass textiles, food and garden waste (in white sacks or a 240 litre wheelie bin in selected areas).

Paper and textile recycling has moved to a Green Week (the same week as plastics and garden waste).

Residents who live in a flat and receive communal collections will not see a change to their collection service.

Councillor Jessica Scott-Boutell, portfolio holder for Waste and Sustainability, said: “The majority of households in the borough will continue to receive a black bag collection for non-recyclable rubbish, while around a third will move to a wheelie bin collection method.

“By making full use of the weekly recycling and food waste collections, residents should have enough space in their wheelie bin or rubbish bags until their next collection. However, there will be a small number of households due to their specific circumstances who will produce more than the limit and they can now apply for an exemption.

“If you have questions or concerns, I encourage you to visit one of our Recycling Roadshows being held throughout May and June."

If unsure, residents can use the council’s online postcode look-up facility to find out if they are in a wheelie bin collection area.