POSSIBLE forced changes to bin collections in Warrington have been opposed by the council in the wake of a national overhaul.

The government reforms to waste collections in England could see people forced to divide their rubbish into six different bins.

It hopes that the changes will increase recycling rates and simplify waste management.

But councils have warned the changes could be ‘unworkable’ with some branding them as ‘madness’.

Warrington Borough Council also opposes the changes due to the increased costs and the challenges it will present to residents.

Cllr Hitesh Patel, cabinet member for environment, housing and public protection said: “The Environment Act sets statutory targets for waste, including recycling methods and food waste collection.

“There is a requirement for councils to review their collection methods to increase the level and quality of recycling.

Warrington Guardian: Clr Hitesh Patel

Cllr Hitesh Patel

“In Warrington, we currently recycle approximately 45 per cent of our residential waste, through a mixed recycling system, where recyclable waste is collected in a single bin and separated at a recycling facility.

“The government’s position is that the most effective way to collect recycled waste is for it to be manually separated by households and then collected at the kerbside.

“This system will mean providing households with a number of containers to separate waste items, including glass, plastic, paper/card, and metal.

“The Act also requires councils to introduce a separate weekly food waste collection service for all residential properties, which will introduce significant challenges and increased costs.

“We are currently looking at appropriate ways to collect food waste and what the potential cost would be, as it is anticipated this service would need to be introduced by March 2025.”

WBC also believes the government must ‘honour’ its commitment to providing further funding to cover the additional costs.

“We believe that our current system is effective and efficient, and are opposed to changing our collection methods, due to the increased costs and the challenges it will present to residents.

“We are reviewing our collection methods and are liaising with the government on the most appropriate collection method for Warrington.

“Currently, it is unclear when these changes would be introduced and how the increased costs are to be funded, so we are awaiting further information.

“However, the councils position is that the government must honour its commitment to provide funding to cover these additional costs.”