Basildon waste collection rota 'putting health at risk'

Independent councillor Kerry Smith said residents "hated" the new waste collection rota

A new waste collection rota "hated" by residents is putting public health at risk, a councillor claimed.

Residents in Basildon, Essex, must now split their rubbish into six different sections.

The waste will be collected on a fortnightly basis as Basildon Borough Council aims to cut waste going to landfill.

But councillor Kerry Smith said lingering rubbish would become a safety risk.

The new rules replaced a weekly black sack service across the borough.

The council said it made the decision with the support of 68% of residents, who now have a black bin for non-recyclable waste, a caddy for food waste and an optional green bin for garden waste.

They also have two reusable sacks for plastic and cans plus paper and cardboard respectively, and an orange box for glass.

The council hopes to reduce the amount of rubbish sent to landfill.

However, Mr Smith, an Independent on Basildon Borough Council, said the new scheme was "absolutely hated" by those he had spoken to.

He believed items such as nappies and dog faeces remaining at properties for two weeks would make people ill.

"The whole thing goes against the ethos of why local authorities were originally created in the Victorian era and that was to protect the public health," the councillor said.

"What Basildon Council is doing is disgusting. They are putting the public health at risk."

The council said the new collection service would reduce litter from ripped black bags.

Its Conservative councillor responsible for waste enforcement, Kevin Blake, said residents supported the amended rota when consulted in summer 2022 and again this year.

"The new containers will reduce the amount of litter on our streets through reducing split bags, and will encourage more recycling," he said.

"If residents recycle all they can, there should be very little left to go to landfill."

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [e-mail] or WhatsApp [phone]