'Overflowing rubbish' and fly-tipping warning unless York HMOs get bigger bins

'Overflowing bins' and fly-tipping warning amid plans to ditch York recycling boxes v.1

Bins in York could be left overflowing with rubbish unless some homes are given larger ones as part of recycling collection changes, the council’s opposition group has warned.

Liberal Democrat activist Luke Draper said York Council should give houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) larger bins as standard when recycling boxes are ditched next year.

Ian Hoult, the council’s environment lead, said they would reach out to homes set to receive two new recycling bins and landlords so those affected can choose appropriately.

It comes as around 63,000 York households are set to receive two 180L recycling bins through the council roll out due to start next summer and continue into the autumn.

The two bins are set to be collected once every four weeks in a two-week alternating cycle.

General waste would be collected in the first and third weeks, with paper and card taken away in the second and all other recycling in the fourth.

The council is currently taking requests from households who need larger 240L bins.

But Liberal Democrat Mr Draper said the standard 180L bins would be unsuitable for many HMOs which have as many as six residents or more.

The activist said: “The way the council is managing the transition will no doubt result in many HMOs missing out and receiving small bins.

“This will lead to overflowing bins as residents will have to wait four weeks between collections, or worse, items put into black bins and not recycled at all.

“To avoid this happening and to also prevent rubbish blowing about the streets Liberal Democrats are calling for the council to use the information they already have and automatically issue large bins to registered HMOs.

“This will be a much easier way to manage the transition and prevent future problems.”

Council Head of Environmental Services Mr Hoult said 700 of York’s roughly 1,300 HMOs were set to be included in next year’s roll out.

He added the other 600 were not in scope for various reasons including because they need further assessment to see if they could accommodate the new bins.

The official said: “As part of the project, for those in scope we will be reaching out to properties directly, to landlords through York Residential Landlords Association and also to student bodies, so those affected can make the most appropriate choice for their properties.

“We can reassure residents there is a suitable option for all households.”

Council officials have said the changes would make collections more efficient and recycling easier, with homes who now have three moves set to see capacity increase.

The roll out is set to cost an estimated £2.8m.

Costs are set to be recouped in the coming years with the moves expected to result in long-term savings.

The proposals come as the council looks to save £520,000 from its waste collection services over the next two years.

They also come ahead of requirements for soft plastics to be collected from kerbsides by March next year.

Officials have committed to rolling out bins to 10,000 more households, mostly in terraced streets, by 2030 and further work is planned on them.