Basildon Council rubbish collections: 1,906 signed petition

Basildon Council’s changes to the bin collections, aimed at improving poor recycling rates across the borough, mean residents are expected to split their rubbish into six separate bins and containers.

Previously, recycling was collected in pink sacks, but now households have to sort their recyclable rubbish into two sacks - one white sack for plastics and cans and a blue sack for paper and cardboard. 

Now 1,906 people have signed a petition calling for the council to bring back the weekly collections.

Linda Reason, 62, of Clayburn Circle, slammed “lazy neighbours” for failing to follow the new rules, resulting in the estate being plagued by pink and black rubbish sacks.

She said: “The council shouldn’t revert back on the sacks, but it needs to roll out bigger bins and ensure the collection is weekly.

“Following my complaint about neighbours not following the rules and filling Clayburn Circle with about 40 bags, causing a horrific smell, the council has come out and cleared it.

“However, the benefit to the new system is it is preventing birds and foxes trying to tear open the bags, but because the wheelie bin and sacks are not big enough to store loads of rubbish from households, it’s still causing environmental issues.

“The council need to think about moving back to a weekly service to stop all of these issues.”

Jeff Henry, Conservative councillor responsible for health, wellbeing, leisure, arts and culture, says if people recycled properly, there is “no need for the weekly collection as there will not be a build-up of rubbish”.

He added: “We have got a food caddy, which takes up a huge chunk of waste, a space for plastics and cans, a sack for cardboard and a wheelie bin for non-recyclables.

“I do not understand how anyone can fill their bin or sacks with so much waste under a fortnight.

“I encourage people to ensure they do their bit and recycle properly so we can meet our 65 per cent recycling target.”