HALF of Worcester's households could have their bin collection times changed this summer. 

People who would usually have recycling collected on the week starting July 23 will instead have their waste picked up if Worcester's mooted ‘same material, same week’ bin collection service is greenlit. 

Plans, if approved, will see the whole city have their waste collected in one week and recycling the next. 

Lloyd Griffiths, the council's director for communities, said this new uniformed approach was needed to cope with the 'extra stress' being placed on its small fleet of waste collection vehicles.

To grapple with extra housing in the city, the authority said moving to a uniformed collection would prevent the need for spending extra money on the service- for now.

The council's report on this plan said it was trying to delay the 'tipping point' of having to introduce a new round.

The report added vehicle and staff costs needed for a new round would set them back around £150,000 a year, excluding fuel, servicing maintenance and repair. 

It is hoped the change will also aid the service as it gears up for the mandatory introduction of food waste collection in 2026.

Currently, half of Worcester has waste collected on one week, while the other half have their recycling picked up.

The plans have been proposed as there is more demand for waste collection compared to recycling.

For those impacted by the proposed July 23 change, a temporary side waste allowance would be made the following week so people could place excess recycling in tied bags next to their bins.

All affected properties will start to receive letters in the middle of June, and this will also include a new calendar for future collections.

Mr Griffiths, who is corporate director for operations, homes and communities added: “These changes are required to make our bin collection service more efficient moving forward.

“If one of the collection vehicles has an issue with breakdowns, staffing changes or inclement weather, then it will be easier to cover the workload if all of the remaining vehicles are gathering the same type of waste. 

“Due to the imbalance of waste and recycling bins put out for collection and travelling time to disposal facilities, there is surplus capacity on the recycling rounds, whilst waste rounds have minimal capacity."

Proposals will be considered by the city council’s Environment Committee when they meet on Tuesday, June 4.

What do YOU think? - Do you think these changes will help with the bin collection services in Worcester? Email ryan.smith@newsquest.co.uk with your views.