THE announcement of a new £144million waste contract is the talk of the town in Southend and councillor for waste Lydia Hyde has answered your top questions.

From wheelie bin exemptions to collection changes and new benefits, here is everything you need to know about Southend Council's new collections.

When is the contract changing?

The contract starts in April 25, but there will be a changeover period for seven months. Wheelie bins will be coming in from October 25.

How many wheelie bins will we have?

Residents will get three bins that will replace the three current types:

Black - Residual waste

Pink - Recyclables 

Blue box - Card and paper

How often will they be collected?

These will be picked up alternate weekly. This means that each bin will go out once every two weeks, but in an alternating fashion (recycling one week, residual the next). The collection day will be the same each week.

How big are the bins?

The standard size is 180 litres, which fits three large bin bags or four standard bin bags. These have a footprint of 49cm (wide) x 72cm (deep) each.

Therefore to store all three you need a space 1.5m wide by 0.72m deep. For larger homes (six plus residents), or those with care waste (one adult with incontinence pad use, or two children in nappies) you can apply for larger 240 litre bins. These have a footprint of 59cm (wide) x 74cm (deep) each. (Therefore to store all three you need a space 1.8m wide by 0.74m deep.

What about Food waste?

Food waste is staying “as is” - collected weekly still, and you will keep the same caddy.

What about garden waste?

Garden waste service is also unchanged, you will keep your bin, and it will remain a charged, weekly service.

What about communal bins (i.e. in flats)?

These are staying on the same collection frequency. Note, flats currently without food waste collection will have this introduced.

What about clothing and small electrical collections?

These are changing to a pre-bookable monthly service instead.

I’m not sure I can have bins. How will it be decided?

There will be a bin suitability survey conducted in coming months against set criteria listed.

There is a review process too, if you feel the the wrong decision has been made for your property.

I can have bins but won’t be able to physically manage to move them to the pickup point. Is there any help available?

Yes, there will be an assisted collection service. This is where the waste operatives will collect and return the bin to your storage area.

Will the current staff lose their jobs?

Staff will be offered the opportunity to transfer over to SUEZ under TUPE arrangements.

Will there be changes at the household recycling centre?

Yes, there will be new types of waste that can be recycled, such as a new paint swap, and the sites are being refreshed with new layouts and signage.

The resale shop will be revamped, and a new one introduced at the Leigh site, raising money for charity.

What other innovations and positives are coming in?

There are several new positive aspects in the contract, including a new app and Alexa skill giving you tailored info for your waste services, and an annual printed calendar through your door.

New smart street sweeping tech to report issues faster (not just waste, but potholes etc).

New summer scrub for the high street and golden mile, and April deep clean on the beaches.

New street waste disposal infrastructure and engagement for the beach to reduce litter.

And a new fund for community environmental initiatives.