FORTNIGHTLY collections and the introduction of reusable sacks and wheelie bins have been branded a “complete disaster” by Basildon residents.

Basildon Council confirmed a series of changes to bins and collections yesterday, including the introduction of black wheelie bins which will be emptied every two weeks.

As things stand, residents use black sacks which are collected weekly.

Bosses also confirmed households will now receive two reusable sacks for recycling waste – one for plastics and cans and the other blue for paper and cardboard.

Basildon resident Andrew Buxton said: “I am not happy about the fortnightly collection. I am also against the idea of a black wheelie bin. Having rubbish stored somewhere will start smelling, and a lot of properties will struggle storing an extra bin because they don’t have back gates or any front gardens.

“Also, on the recycling bags, this will be a complete disaster.

“You can’t tie them up, so the elements will be blowing stuff around. Before we put everything in pink bags, now we have to sort through everything. I know councils are on a tight shop now, but they need to have a serious re-think here.”

Distribution of 180-litre black wheelie bins and reusable sacks will begin mid-September, ready for the launch on November 27.

Alision Whitton, 43 from Kingswood in Basildon, added: “I welcome the wheelie bins, but I don’t not like it is changing to fortnightly because the bins will smell and that is a major concern for me. The changes to recycling I am very much against too as it will be our job to separate the recycling and I don’t have storage in my house to do this. The reusable bags could fly down the road when it is windy. I feel the council are just making it harder and as a consequence people will do the opposite.

Bosses say there are no additional charges for this service.

Kevin Blake, councillor responsible for environment, added: “I am pleased we have made the decision to introduce black wheelie bins and reusable sacks – the new services aim to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfill by 25 per cent. Residents told us they were in favour of wheelie bins during consultations in summer 2022 and winter 2023. The new containers will reduce the amount of litter on our streets through reducing split bags and will encourage residents to change behaviour and recycle their waste.”