THE first few batches of wheelie bins are being rolled out onto the doorsteps of peoples’ homes in Wychavon.

Green recycling and grey waste bins, complete with information packs, are being sent out to about 10,000 households in places such as Hartlebury, Ombersley, Norton and Whittington.

People in Lovett and North Claines ward (except Westwood parish), Dodderhill, Bowbrook, Upton Snodsbury, Inkberrow ward (except Cookhill, Abbots Morton, Rous Lench, Abberton and Church Lench parishes), Drakes Broughton (except Pirton) and Pinvin also come under phase one of the scheme.

The remaining 40,000 households in the district will be part of phase two of the project.

A series of roadshows are currently underway for them and the bins are planned for delivery sometime in March next year.

Wychavon District Council’s head of community services Phil Merrick said: “We’re really pleased that the new scheme is here and residents in phase one are getting their bins. “It is naturally going to take residents a bit of time to get used to the change but we’ve done a lot to get information to residents about the new scheme, as well as giving plenty of alternative options such as smaller or larger bins, exemptions, and assisted collections where appropriate. The scheme can now start on the important job of helping residents recycling more.”

The information packs, which should be found underneath the lids of the grey bins, include a leaflet explaining the new system, the date of their first collection, and a calendar with a set of dos and don’ts.

People will also be given white labels, on which they can write their house name or number before sticking them to the bins.

Information about the types of liners to be used in the new food caddies will also be included in the pack.

As well as the liners, the food caddies can be lined with newspaper or waste can be left loose, but no plastic bags are allowed.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, Wychavon district councillors voted in November to introduce wheelie bins and an alternate weekly collection although, unlike Worcester’s system, food waste will still be collected each week. Anyone who has applied for an alternative method of collection will receive a letter before the scheme starts on Monday, September 29, notifying them of the council’s decision.

For more information visit wychavon.gov.uk or call 01386 565006.