THE first of some 12,000 new wheelie bins were delivered to residents as huge changes to waste collection and recycling in the borough moved a step closer.

Colchester Council’s refuse collectors started to drop off 180 litre black bins for non-recyclable rubbish and a larger brown garden waste recycling yesterday morning.

Approximately one in three households will be moving to wheelie bins, and those who will are set to also get a postcard explaining how the service will work and what can go in each bin.

Delivery will continue until Friday, June 16 with the first wheelie bin collection set to start the following Monday.

Colchester Council’s waste boss Jessica Scott-Boutell (Lib Dem) 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.”

Rubbish collections are due to become fortnightly across the borough with a limit on three black sacks per household, but food waste will still be collected weekly.

Christine Thorley, of Buxton Road, was one of the first people to receive a bin and has huge concerns.

She said: “We are a family of five and having our rubbish collected every two weeks is going to be a health hazard.

“The instructions say you have to keep the lid closed on the bin and make it odour friendly - how can two week old rubbish be odour friendly?

“It also says rubbish will not be collected if the bin lid will not close - meaning it could be there for a month.

“My son lives in Ipswich where there are wheelie bins and it doesn’t work for them.

“It is not going to work here - there will be flytipping and problems at the tips.”

In November, when the council revealed how many homes would be getting a wheelie bin, we asked our online readers if they were in favour.

A total of 40 per cent (432 people) said they would rather not have a new bin as they were an eyesore, while 33 per cent (356 people) said they would want one because they are tidier than black sacks.

In all, 147 people said if they had a wheelie bin it would be overflowing within a week, and 141 said new bins would encourage more people to recycle.

On February 9, we asked our readers if there should be a wheelie bin referendum to decide on plans.

A total of 69 per cent (211 voters) said yes they would like everyone to have a vote, while 31 per cent (95 people) said no.