Wheelie bin replacement programme outlined
Date Published : 09 September 2010
Worn out wheelie bins over 15 years old are set to be replaced by Walsall Council free of charge.
The council's cabinet will consider its approach to replacing bins which are no longer considered fit for purpose at its meeting on Wednesday 15 September.
Green bins, now used for recycling, were first introduced in 1992 for the collection of domestic waste and it is estimated a small number of the 98,000 bins originally distributed to residents need replacing. Overall there are around 300,000 bins in the borough for general household rubbish, recycling and garden waste.
Bins would be replaced when they are considered to have reached the end of their useful life and are no longer safe to use and fit for purpose.
Councillor Anthony Harris, Walsall Council cabinet member for leisure, culture and environment, said: "Green wheeled bins were first introduced in parts of Walsall 18 years ago and it is not surprising that some of them are starting to wear out.
"It is important we make sure that the bins we provide for residents are fit for purpose and this replacement programme will enable us to do that."
Recycling rates in Walsall have increased significantly in recent years. Provisional figures for April 2009 to March 2010 show residents recycled 47 percent of all their household waste, higher than any other metropolitan authority. This figure is expected to rise even further this year following the expansion of the brown bins programme for garden waste to cover all low rise properties.