COLCHESTER Council has been accused of lacking common sense after launching a strict new policy on picking up waste and recycling.

Binmen have started refusing to collect or empty bins, bags or boxes left out for collection, if households are not complying exactly with the council’s rules.

It has also stopped emptying wheelie bins for residents, except for around 800 people who have mobility problems.

Retired policeman Ian Steele, of Cambridge Road, Colchester, was yesterday left a note on his green box, which is used for glass, cans and foil.

He said: “Since day one we’ve sorted out and put the glass in one plastic bag and the cans and everything else in another plastic bag and put them both in the green box.

“We’ve separated everything to make it easy for them.

“This morning, it was not collected and there was a label put on it saying it’s the wrong container.

“When I phoned them up, they said we mustn’t put stuff in the plastic bags.

“I said that’s crazy because then they have to sort a whole box of stuff all mixed up.

“There answer was: ‘What do you do with the plastic bags?’”

Mr Steele, 71, added: “Some bureaucrat has made a decision that’s going to give their men more work. Common sense has got to prevail here.”

The council said following the rules to the letter of the law would save taxpayers’ money.

Matthew Young, head of street services, said: “Colchester is currently recycling 41 per cent of waste.

“This is a significant achievement and, in order to further this and to help the town become cleaner and greener, we are reminding residents of the current collection policy.

“By ensuring we have a consistent and efficient waste and recycling collection scheme, not only can we increase recycling, but we can also keep our costs for collection among the lowest in the country.”