Recycling changes finally on the way — including the new pink lid bin

PLASTIC recycling is finally on its way — and the first households will be contacted about the changes within weeks.

Households will receive a letter and calendar about the alterations to waste collections, including the kerbside collection for plastics.

The areas which will see the changes first are parts of Aughton, Aston, Bramley, Brecks, Broom, Broom Valley, Brampton, Canklow, Clifton, East Dene, Eastwood, Herringthorpe, Kimberworth, Moorgate, Ravenfield, Swallownest, Swinton, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham town centre, Wath, Wellgate, West Melton, Wickersley, and Woodhouse Mill.

Residents will receive a new, smaller black bin with a pink lid — as chosen by Advertiser readers in our vote last year — for non-recyclable, general household waste. 

Once households receive the new pink lid bin, they should start using it for general household waste and refer to their new calendar for collection details.

Black bins should then be used for recycling plastic packaging, glass, cans and tins. Green bins will continue to be used for recycling paper and card. 

Recycling bins will be emptied every four weeks, with the black bin and green bin being emptied on alternate fortnights.

The first households will be contacted during the first two weeks of 2019, Rotherham Borough Council has said. 

Martin Raper, head of streetscene, said: “Don’t worry if you don’t receive a letter straight away, it simply means that we aren’t making the changes in your area just yet. 

“Until you receive your new bin with a pink lid, your collections will stay the same.

“We would urge residents to check your new calendar when it arrives to make sure you’re putting out the right bin on the right day. 

“While your collection day won’t change, your recycling bins will now be collected every four weeks instead of fortnightly. Your general household waste will still be collected every fortnight.”

There has been criticism of the smaller general waste bin but the council says the extra recycling capacity should mean there is no issue.