Letters on way to residents detailing bin collection days

LEEDS residents should look out for letters dropping on their doormats over the coming week letting them know on which day their bin will be collected in future.

From October 25 all bin collections across the city will change in an overhaul of routes and systems that will save Leeds City Council 2.4m a year.

Collection days will be changing and householders need to read the newsletter they get in the post to make sure they know on which day they need to put their bins out. The mailings will also include stickers for bins giving both the new day and details of Christmas bin collections.

The council says some bin collection days will change but overhauling the city’s refuse and recycling collection routes will make them more efficient, leading to considerable savings in the cost of running the service.

The productivity measures formed part of the agreement that ended last year’s bin strike in the city and included a reorganisation of the city’s inefficient bin routes.

Not only will major savings be made for the city with the new system but residents will also benefit by having the same collection day for both their black and green bins in most cases, making it easier to remember. Garden waste collections will remain the same for now.

Another benefit will be that thanks to a new system of crews working in zones, rather than only following specified routes, they will be able to help each other finish collections if crews are held up and tackle issues like missed bins more quickly.

Coun Tom Murray , executive member for environmental services, urged people to look out for the letters as it was important to ensure bins were put out on the right day.

“We know it may be difficult at first for people to break their habits and get used to the new days, but if you can help us by making the effort to remember the new system should bring great benefits.”

Leeds City Council has been working closely with staff and trade unions to agree the more efficient routes and revised working practices. The crews have been helping in planning and testing out the new routes.

Letters will go to all homes in the city, except for those in blocks where bins are not put out for collection.