Rotherham Council to charge £30 for wheelie bins

Charging for new bins is expected to save Rotherham Council, which last year issued 25,000 for free, £90,000 a year.

The council says it can no longer afford to give them away. Black wheelie bins will cost £22 plus £8 for delivery. Recycling containers will continue to be provided free.

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Property developers will have to pay £57 to provide new homes with black and green bins, a blue box and a blue bag.

Cllr Gerald Smith, Cabinet member for the environment, said that the authority simply could not go on providing free waste containers. They cost £200,000 last year.

He added: “It is regrettable that we are having to introduce the charge. But if we want to continue with our range of collections and improve our recycling rate we will have to introduce this fee.”

Critics suggest the new charges will see anti-social behaviour increase if residents decide not to bother with replacement bins and opt to fly-tip waste instead.

There will be no charge where residents have a police number because their bin has been stolen or set alight.

Any bins damaged while being emptied are also exempt and Rothercard holders will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount.

Last year, Rotherham reached a household refuse recycling rate of 42 per cent. Cllr Smith said: “Residents have responded brilliantly to our campaign.

“We are doing everything we can to make that a more efficient and cost-effective operation, by using new multi-collection vehicles, for example.

“But we need to see recycling rates increase in order to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.”

There are also 54 recycling banks and four dump-it sites across the borough.

Further information is available from Streetpride on 01709 336003.