Wheelie bins to be introduced in the New Forest in 2024

A new waste and recycling strategy was ratified at a full meeting of the district council in a move that will result in wheelie bins replacing refuse sacks in 2024.

General waste and recycling collections will switch to an alternate fortnightly service.

Plans to introduce wheelie bins in the New Forest have been given the go-ahead.

Campaigners have warned that the new system could create “wheelie bin blight”, especially in historic town centres such as Lymington.

But the scheme was approved by the full council after being backed at a meeting of the authority's ruling cabinet last week.

Cllr David Harrison, a member of the Liberal Democrat opposition group, said a district-wide referendum should be held to decide the issue.

READ MORE: Wheelie bins could be introduced in the New Forest

Cllr Alexis McAvoy, a member of the ruling Tory group, described wheelie bins as “an abomination” but cited the potential cost of a referendum.

A fellow Tory, Cllr Allan Glass, said the new waste strategy had been drawn up by a cross-party working group.

He added: "Not everyone has to have a wheelie bin. If you live on the fourth floor of a tower block you don’t have a wheelie bin. If you’re badly disabled you don’t have a wheelie bin.”

Cllr Edward Heron, leader of New Forest District Council. (Image: New Forest District Council)

The council will identify which properties are not suitable for wheelie bins. The figure is thought to be around 8,000 homes - ten per cent of households.

The New Forest is the only district in Hampshire not to operate a wheelie bin system and one of the worst performing in England for recycling.

READ MORE: Wheelie bins 'to be introduced in the New Forest in 2024'

The council leader, Cllr Edward Heron, said: "The new service will make recycling easier for our residents and reduce our impact on the environment."

A new facility being planned by Hampshire County Council will allow the district to collect new materials, including a wider range of plastics.

Paper and card will be collected separately in a reusable bag that will protect the material’s quality.

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