Lincolnshire residents express frustration over suggested increase in wheelie bins

A proposal to add more wheelie bins to the waste collection system has faced stiff resistance from residents worried about space and inconvenience.

Lincolnshire County Council, along with seven district councils, plan to introduce a new weekly food collection scheme by March 2026 to increase recycling rates, potentially achieving a 7% rise through anaerobic digestion.

The council has secured funding to modify existing waste transfer stations and construct a new one in the Greater Lincoln area, with planning applications to be submitted later this year.

Concurrently, South Holland District Council is consulting on switching from rubbish bags to wheelie bins.

The Food Waste Project update confirmed that a contractor has been engaged for pre-construction design, and procurement for anaerobic digestion capacity is underway.

A consistent approach to procurement and colour schemes for waste caddies across all districts is also planned.

In response to the story, many residents expressed concern about the additional burden of managing another bin, stating that their gardens are already cluttered with existing bins.

In Grantham, commenters felt that the scheme added unnecessary complexity and inconvenience.

Some commenters suggested that the proposal might be inefficient or counterproductive, increasing waste management costs and causing further complications.

Mark Taylor commented: “I’m not having another bloody bin. They’re determined to take over our gardens and use them as bin stores! We should all start charging the council rent and wages for sorting the waste out.”

Kathryn Bell Singleton said: “The country is blighted by bins. I refused the purple bin. When I bought a tumble drier I kept the box. Since Christmas, I have put card and paper in it. It is nearly half full, nearly eight months' worth. Imagine how little would have been in a bin I would have to drag out for collection.”

A few comments touch on broader issues like the recycling system's effectiveness and council transparency.

In Stamford, some questioned the cost to councils.

“I thought councils were short of money, and now they’re considering spending more to add to the collection confusion they already have with the purple bins,” said Josie Smith.

Storey Daniel added: "They will have to get all new lorries, which will be a pricey job.”

Others indicated that they wouldn’t, or wouldn’t need to, bother with food waste.

Bob Cornforth said: “No food waste in this house, so stuff your bin.”

Meanwhile, Andy Jones wrote: “My food bin will be going straight into the recycling bin.”

Peter Stimpson suggested any food waste bin would “make a good plant pot.”

Over in South Holland, which is the only district council in Lincolnshire not to have wheelie bins, many expressed strong opposition to wheelie bins. Issues such as space constraints, difficulty for the elderly and disabled, and aesthetic concerns were prevalent.

"Having lived in places with wheelie bins I much prefer the way things are now. Wheelie bins are a nightmare," said Lucy Jerwood.

Some feared the move would lead to inefficient fortnightly collections aligned with the rest of the county.

Many commenters mention the physical difficulty of handling wheelie bins, especially for the elderly and disabled. Concerns include the bins being heavy, hard to manoeuvre over gravel, and prone to blowing away.

"We have a gravel front; no wheelie bin could be pushed over that. They look unsightly, and the wind could cause them to blow into the road. NO to wheelie bins from me," said Jane Cooper.

Commenters highlight the problem of limited space in front gardens and the unsightly appearance of multiple wheelie bins. Some also worry about the bins cluttering streets and causing obstructions.

"When you go into towns with wheelie bins, they look a right mess in people's front gardens,” said Gerald Pearl.

Supporters of wheelie bins argue that the current system with rubbish bags leads to littering caused by animals tearing open the bags.

Matisse Gittos wrote: "We really need wheelie bins out in the rural parts. I’ve complained forever about the crows and magpies littering the rubbish all up the streets which then blows across fields."

"Yes to wheelie bins...fed up of crows, cats, and foxes ripping open black bags," added Alison Dymock.

What do you think? Post a comment below…