RUBBISH collections will become fortnightly – in a �3.4m scheme that will revolutionise Welwyn Hatfield’s recycling programme.

All households will have THREE wheelie bins – one for waste, one for dry recyclables such as glass, tin, paper and plastic and their exisiting brown bin for green, cardboard and food waste.

The major shake-up will put an end to black bin liners being used across the borough.

Council officers have drawn up plans to collect waste one week and recycling the next, which it is hoped will save the council more than �300,000 a year.

Weekly refuse collections will continue for large blocks of flats, subject to investigation by the council.

Councillor Colin Couch, executive member for environment, said: “I understand that some residents will be anxious about this change.

“Evidence suggests that in areas where similar changes have been made, people soon settle into the new routine and are pleased to have the opportunity to recycle more at the kerbside.”

Welwyn Hatfield’s recycling record is one of the worst in the country – in 2009, it was ranked 283rd of 394 authorities in England. It is one of the last in Hertfordshire to switch to alternate weekly collections.

The scheme will initially cost �3.36m, including a �1.1m loan to Serco for the purchase of new, modified vehicles.

But it will save the council �300,000 a year in reduced landfill costs, and earn it an extra �200,000 in recycling income.

A special council meeting has been convened tomorrow (Wednesday) to rush through the plans.

If approved the new regime could begin early next year.

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