Councillors say Denbighshire residents are confused by bin changes

The council plans to bring in changes that would see the black bin collections reduced but recycling collections increased to once a week.

But councillors stung by public criticism of the scheme have said officers need to do more to explain the idea.

A consultation will be carried out on the plans that would see  changes to the collection of non-recyclable waste to every four weeks for the majority of households.

Residents can opt for bigger black bins if they need them, but overall, households will have an extra 35 litres of capacity each week for recycling packaging waste compared to their current blue recycling bin.

Speaking to a meeting of the communities scrutiny committee, Ruthin county councillor, Huw Hilditch-Roberts, said he had been stopped by residents angry at what they thought would be a reduced service.

He said: "It is clear to me in this report that it does not give actually give a full picture of the service. The standard offer which is massively positive, food waste will be collected weekly, dry recyclable weekly, textiles and shoes fortnightly. That is massive positive messages that is being missed because people are focusing on what do I do with nappies.”

His fellow Ruthin councillor, Bobby Feeley, said: “I’m slightly concerned having been in attendance for about three sessions on this. I am concerned that the message around this service could prove rather confusing to the public. Today I have heard things I had not heard before.”

The new service would see a weekly collection for recyclables and food waste as well as a new fortnightly collection for clothes and small electrical items.

It is expected that the changes would save £800,000 from the council’s waste bill as it looks to make a saving of £900,000 to its service.

Denbighshire is already recycling 64% of waste generated by households in the county and it is hoped that the four weekly collections could see that number rise to 70%.