WEEKLY bin collections in Middlesbrough are set for the scrapheap next year if leaders give the move the green light.

A consultation on making rubbish pick-ups fortnightly across most of the town has uncovered strong views – with more than half of those responding unhappy with the move. 

But next week Middlesbrough Council leaders will vote on a recommendation to end weekly collections across the bulk of the town in April 2021.

Details of surveys were revealed in papers for next Tuesday’s executive meeting – with 3,309 responses sent in from some of the 57,000 affected homes in the borough. 

More than half strongly disagreed with the changes (52.2 per cent) with only 17.1 per cent of responders agreeing or strongly agreeing with the fortnightly shift. 

Reports for next week’s meeting showed more than half of those surveyed believed their home would generate too much waste for their bin to cope over two-weeks. 

And almost two-thirds (64.6 per cent) were concerned leaving rubbish for two weeks would be “smelly and attract vermin”. 

However, almost a quarter of residents who said they were unhappy with bin capacity stated they would be happy if a larger 240 litre bin was provided.

And the council believes it can mitigate the worries brought to light in the consultation. 

Officials say struggles with existing 140 litre bins will mean larger 240 litre bins will be “available on request” before the fortnightly collections are rolled out in April. 

Moving back to fortnightly green waste for 2021 is also being lined up to stop garden materials going into normal bins.

The authority is also set to provide extra recycling bins as well as free sacks if needed to ease stresses on existing receptacles. 

Areas served by communal bins, mainly in spots with back alleys, will continue to have weekly collections after any changes kick in. 

Meanwhile, the council also says larger bins, better education, rodent control training for staff and “advice and recipes” on using leftover food should reduce food waste and ease pest worries. 

Efforts to review weekly bin collections were first revealed late last year – aiming to save £1m at Middlesbrough Council in the next two years.  

The plans aim to help the authority become “carbon neutral” by 2029 and boost the town’s recycling rate from 33.5 per cent to 50 per cent.

It would also see Middlesbrough move into line with all other areas in the North-East, apart from Stockton, which already see recycled waste and household rubbish collected on alternating weeks. 

The report has predicted savings of £322,000 if the shift to fortnightly collections is backed.

Officers say costs of £860,000 for extra bins would be offset by future savings – with a reduced number of bin wagons bought in the coming years.

But a “service review” on the back of the changes will lead to the loss of 12 full time jobs at the council.

The report also warned Covid and Brexit were possible risks to the changes.

“Brexit may have an impact on our European suppliers of wheelie bins –  leading to delays with importation,” it added.

Leaders will vote on the changes next Tuesday.