RESIDENTS could be faced with a price hike for recycling bins and waste collections in the next financial year, the Standard can reveal.

A report highlighting estimates for Maldon District Council’s budget for 2017/18 show proposals have been made to increase the annual charge for green recycling bins, as well as a new £17 fee to have the bin delivered.

The annual fee for the green bin could go up to £40 from £37, in addition to the costs of bulky waste collections rising, which could reach a cost of £104 for the maximum amount of 12 items.

The proposals have been put forward despite the same report highlighting that the council’s controversial new refuse contract, which rolled out in June last year, saved £54,000 from the previous year’s budget.

The proposition has been lambasted by residents.

Brett Blake said: “Braintree District Council doesn’t charge for green bins.

“If it carries on with constant increases and stricter rules on refuse sites I can see fly tipping becoming an ever increasing problem.”

Maldon resident Tracy Booth added: “It hasn’t even got the recycling right, so I don’t know how it can even increase charges.

“The streets of the town look dirtier than I’ve ever seen them.”

A council spokesman said: “The council has reviewed the charge for its green waste service and has made adjustments to ensure pricing reflects the costs of running the scheme.

“In making the changes local benchmarking has been carried out to ensure we are providing a comparable rate to our neighbouring authorities to ensure residents still receive a value for money service.”