“This is not environmental policy, it’s austerity dressed up as recycling”
New brown bin
A councillor has blasted forthcoming changes to Blackpool’s bin collections – and says he’s been inundated with calls from unhappy residents about the move.
The seaside resort is currently undergoing a major transformation of its waste collection service, with new bins being rolled out in late 2025 and early 2026, ahead of a new collection schedule starting in April 2026. The changes, in response to the national Simpler Recycling government legislation, have seen Blackpool Council already starting to replace the current brown hessian sacks with new brown wheelie bins for paper and card, whilst also swapping smaller blue bins for larger ones for mixed recyclables (glass, cans, plastics).
In addition, the general waste collection will move to a three-weekly cycle from April 2026 and a new weekly food waste collection service will start, with residents receiving a small indoor caddy and a larger outdoor caddy in early 2026. Councillor Paul Galley, leader of the Conservative opposition on Labour-led Blackpool Council, says the move is a serious mistake that puts public health and neighbourhood cleanlines at risk.
But Blackpool Council refutes his claim that the scheme is unhygeinic and the “cheapest option”. It says the scheme comes with several advantages and will give residents an all round improved waste collection, whilst increasing recycling.
What Cllr Galley says
Cllr Galley said: “The feedback from residents on the new three weekly bin collections has really exploded this week, my phone hasn’t stopped. The decision to introduce three-weekly grey-bin collections is a serious mistake that puts public health, neighbourhood cleanliness, and family wellbeing at risk.
“Blackpool Labour Council has chosen the cheapest option on paper, but the most costly one for our residents. Three-weekly collections are a false economy, they will lead to overflowing bins, foul smells, rats, vermin and a guaranteed rise in fly-tipping across the town.
“Many households, particularly families with babies, people with pets, those in small properties, and homes without storage, will struggle to safely store three weeks’ worth of general waste. Grey bins contain nappies, pet waste and food-contaminated rubbish. Leaving that festering for twenty-one days creates a perfect breeding ground for pests.”
Councillor Jane Hugo and Councillor Paul Galley
Cllr Galley said Blackpool Council was already spending hundreds of thousands a year clearing fly-tipped waste and warns the situation would be made worse. He added: “When bins overflow, rubbish ends up on the streets. Fly-tipping will rise, and the cost of clearing it will wipe out any so-called savings.
“Residents pay council tax for essential services. Waste collection is one of the most basic and most important.
“You don’t cut the frequency by a third and pretend it’s progress. This is not environmental policy, it’s austerity dressed up as recycling.”
Cllr Galley has called on the Council to reverse the policy immediately and retain the two-weekly grey-bin collection.”
What the council says
Cllr Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change at Blackpool Council, said: “This a bold, long-term decision that is proven by evidence. It works in other areas like Oldham, Rochdale and Salford to increase recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or incinerators.
“The government has said all councils must reach a recycling rate of 65% by 2035. Our recycling rate is currently 44% so this approach will help to increase that rate. Doing nothing is neither environmentally responsible nor economically sustainable.
“Many people currently put their food waste in grey bins but from April households will have dedicated food-waste caddies with weekly collections, which will take a substantial portion of waste out of the grey bins altogether. People are also receiving larger bins, to cater for the three-weekly collection and cheaper green waste subscriptions so more rubbish can be diverted to a recycling bin rather than a grey one.
“Bins are a council service that affect every household. We appreciate people with babies, pets or larger families will create more waste, and in those cases we will provide clear guidance for households with nappies or clinical-type waste, including practical advice to manage these items safely and hygienically between collections.
“This is not about choosing the cheapest option; it is about choosing the right option, one that reduces waste, improves recycling, sets us on a path to meet national targets and provides a cleaner, greener and more modern waste system that benefits Blackpool residents.”
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