Council removing bins to 'encourage recycling'

Wheelie bins being taken by the council

Local residents have complained that the council is removing wheelie bins and “smashing them up”.

The council says it is disposing of bins that have reached their end of use and removing "unauthorised general waste bins" from households that have more than one in order to "encourage recycling".

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Council, said: “We’re currently removing unauthorised general waste bins from some households as the waste we send to landfill is costing our residents an additional £386,000 in fines. Most of the bins we collect are reaching the end of their usable life and we are therefore removing the wheels and recycling them.

“Recycling as much as possible will help reduce the amount of waste residents need to put in their general waste bin by more than half. If anybody wants additional recycling bins to help them to recycle more, we will provide these free of charge by calling 0300 303 8884.”