Slim rubbish bins save taxpayer a huge £3.4m

THE first UK council to pioneer the use of “slim bins” has declared them a success, having saved taxpayers a whopping £3.4million.

Bolton Council in Greater Manchester stopped using normal 240-litre grey household waste bins in June 2016 to save on landfill costs and boost recycling.

But earlier this year fire chiefs in Bolton blamed the switch to 140litre bins for a rise in arson attacks, as their reduced capacity meant rubbish was being left in piles on the street, where it was prone to arson and vandalism. Now, after their first 12 months, the council has more positive news, claiming the £3.4million saved has financed school crossing patrols and respite care for the families of disabled residents.

Yesterday Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for Environmental Services Cllr Nick Peel said: “It has been a great success. Our recycling rate has soared to more than 50 per cent over the last three months and we would like to thank residents for all their hard work in achieving this.

“Many residents that were not previously recycling are now taking part and food waste recycling has increased significantly.

“We are working to ensure [people] understand that more unusual items like foil, foil trays and empty aerosol cans can be recycled and liquid food cartons can be recycled.”

The council set itself a target recycling rate of 47 per cent this year and says the latest figures show it exceeded this in May, June and July.

Cllr Peel added: “We are hoping we hit our annual target of 47 per cent, and continue to drive savings and protect the environment.”

When the bins were first announced, pressure groups said they would encourage crime and rats.