Green bin fee on the cards for Blackpool

Along with other authorities, the council is scrapping its free green waste collections in the coming weeks.

Wyre and Preston councils have already announced people will have to pay an annual fee of £30 if they wish to retain a fortnightly collection of garden rubbish.

Blackpool Council said it was still considering the options including a similar subscription service.

Deputy council leader Coun Gillian Campbell said; “In order to save £300,000 in the next financial year it has been decided to cease the green waste collection service.

“Although 56,000 households have a green bin the majority aren’t used on a regular basis

“As an alternative, residents will be able to put green waste in their grey bin, take it to the Bristol Avenue tip or they may choose to use a composting bin.

“We are also looking at the feasibility of introducing a subscription service like many other local authorities where residents can continue with the fortnightly collection of green waste for a small fee.

“As soon as the plans are finalised we make sure residents have all the information they need.”

Around 7,000 tonnes of green waste is collected in Blackpool each year.

Any of the green waste collection bins which are no longer used will be collected by the council and re-used as general waste bins.

Residents will be informed of when their green waste collection is ending closer to the time. Wyre’s new subscription service comes into effect on May 1.

Coun David Henderson, cabinet member with responsibility for recycling at Wyre Council, said: “Like many other local authorities across the country, the council can no longer afford to provide this non statutory service without introducing a charge.”