New bin collection rubbished (From Stroud News and Journal)

New bin collection rubbished

DESPITE a barrage of complaints Stroud District Council is sticking by its new rubbish collection plan.

The new schedule, which came into effect yesterday, April 1, asks people across the district to have their bins out by 6am.

Many residents have voiced their concerns, arguing that 6am is too early to get up just to put the bins out.

And those opposed to the new schedule have claimed that if bins are put out the night before collection cats and foxes may rip them open, scattering stinking litter down the streets.

But the council has defended the new schedule, saying that on balance it will mean an improved service for the district.

"Under the previous arrangements people who used to be hampered with no collection during bank holidays complained bitterly about it," said Carlos Novoth, waste contracts manager.

"We decided to go onto a four day week to overcome that problem."

The collection could not start later, said Mr Novoth, because the bin lorries had to finish their rounds in time to dump their rubbish at the tip which has very strict opening hours.

But once the new system had had time to settle down, he added, most people would find they did not have to have their bins out by 6am in any case.

"People will figure it out - they will get to know when their refuse is collected," he said.

"For the few that will have it collected at 6am, we would ask them to put it out the night before.

"If they are suffering from the problems of animal attacks they can put their bin bags inside a rigid container like a dustbin and that should protect them from cats or foxes."