Lancashire Councils Consider Three-Weekly General Waste Collections

Lancashire County Council is encouraging district councils to switch general household waste bin collections from the current fortnightly schedule to once every three weeks, aiming to cut costs and save around £6 million annually. This proposal, reported by multiple district leaders including Pendle Borough Council's David Whipp, is part of a county-led review of collection methodologies and disposal costs. While 11 districts currently collect non-recyclable waste every two weeks, only Ribble Valley Borough Council still collects weekly, and Blackpool Council plans to move to three-weekly collections next spring. The shift is seen as a potential way to boost recycling rates but has met resistance from some local politicians who warn it could be deeply unpopular with residents, especially larger households. Lancashire County Council chief executive Mark Wynn has acknowledged that changes may be disruptive but argues that now is an appropriate time for adjustments ahead of government-ordered local government reforms. Separately, Ashfield District Council in Nottinghamshire is changing bin collection days to align with future weekly food waste collections and government efforts to standardize waste services across England.