Fortnightly trash collections ahead?

Plans drawn up by Worthing and Adur councils could result in residents in both areas being told to scrap their bin liners for wheelie bins, which would be collected on alternate weeks so the councils could "share" a new fleet of vehicles.

When the Conservatives took control of Worthing Council after the June elections, they pledged to reverse the controversial "front of house" collection scheme introduced in the town by the Lib Dems, and do away with "black bin city".

They have come up with five options which will be considered at a meeting next week. Another possibility includes no wheelie bins and householders being told to come up with their own rubbish storage '“ capable of holding two weeks' worth of waste.

It is not known when any changes would come into effect or how much they would cost to implement, although the figure is expected to run into hundreds of thousands.

Tory councillor George Stephens declined to talk in detail about the proposals, or their likely cost, but said: "This is the most important thing that will happen in the town and I am determined that this town will have a refuse collection service that will stand the test of time.

"We do not know at this stage whether we are talking about one or two wheelie bins per household. We are looking at all the options, including wheelie bins.

"I am determined to rid the town of its black bags. It is wrong for it to be known as 'black bin city'. I'm determined the residents of Worthing should receive a proper service."

Mr Stephens said he was expecting to receive figures about how much the changes would cost "in the next few days".

The collection of recyclables also look set to be changed. Households may find themselves also swapping their grey boxes for wheelie bins, or having two recycling boxes. Options which will be discussed at a meeting next week include:

Option one

Front-of-house collection of rubbish in a wheelie bin provided on an alternate week basis (refuse vehicles would be used in Adur one week and in Worthing the next, reducing number of vehicles needed). Recyclables would remain weekly, with a second wheelie bin provided for dry recyclables. The existing box would be used for glass. The green sacks garden rubbish would remain the same. Only waste in the wheelie bins would be collected and no extra waste taken.

Option two

One wheeled bin for residual waste. Still alternate week collections with two boxes for recyclables (one for dry and one for glass).

Option three

Householders would be asked to find their own method of containment '“ enough for two weeks' storage. Front-of-house collection would remain. Two recycling boxes.

Option four

Weekly wheelie bin collections: a wheelie bin for dry recyclables and a box for glass, weekly collection.

The meeting of the simultaneous overview and scrutiny panel will be held on Wednesday, September 29, at Worthing Town Hall, beginning at 6pm, where all these options will be discussed.