Most councils collect bins fortnightly

♦ Fortnightly bin collections are on the rise, now carried out by three out of four councils.

Data show 248 out of 326 local authorities (76 per cent) across England run fortnightly general rubbish rounds for some or all households.

Some councils alternate picking up rubbish one week with recycling collections the next, while others collect recycling weekly, and many have separate food waste collections and retain more frequent pick-ups for flats.

The Local Government Association said there was no “one size fits all” solution, but councils knew that a “reliable and efficient” waste and recycling service was important to residents.

And a poll showed 80 per cent of people were happy with bin collections regardless of the frequency with which they were picked up.