SWAPPING stinking rubbish sacks for wheelie bins is the way forward say homeowners, as waste collections are set for a massive overhaul.

The Echo revealed yesterday how wheelie bins could be rolled out for by-weekly collections of general and recycling waste, replacing bin bags.

The draft plans are set to be discussed at a scrutiny meeting on Monday.

Now, in a poll on our website, which has garnered more than 440 responses, 59 per cent of voters have supported the idea of wheelie bins.

Southend resident Darren Dordoy said: “All borough councils should supply us with wheelie bins. We pay enough council tax every year as I’m always having to clean up the mess cats and foxes make after they rummage for food waste in the bin bags.

“I do understand that some homes can’t have them, i.e. flats and terraced housing, or gardens too small to store more than one bin.”

Julie Fountain Smith said: “It’s primitive that we don’t.

“Black sacks are unhygienic, unsightly, and leave mess.

“In Suffolk we had a recyclable and general wheelie bins, got emptied on alternative weeks and worked well.

“They had free garden waste bins as well.”

Jo James said: “Every single bin day there is at least two rubbish bags that have been torn open by animals.

“Rubbish everywhere, Veolia do an amazing job of cleaning it up. However, not all of it can be or gets blown away, ends up under cars and in hedges.

“It would make sense to have wheelie bins. If you have the space.”

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for planning and the environment, said lots of avenues would have to be considered on whether wheelie bins would be logistically possible in all parts of the borough.

She said: “It’s not as cut and dry as some people may think it is.

“In the borough we have areas of close knit housing, tight streets and lots of parking. I’ve spent a lot of time answering complaints about bags not put out properly and foxes have been at them.

“The one thing that won’t be two-weekly will be food. That’s not an option for two-weekly at all.

“It’s the first report and it’s coming up with ideas.”