Broxtowe Borough Council wants to change its bin collection policy, saying households falsely claiming their rubbish has been missed is costing £100,000 a year.
The authority is reviewing its recycling service and says the current system is “being abused by a small number of people” who keep calling to say bin men have missed their rubbish – when they have forgotten to put it out.
A statement issued by the council added: “Currently, the council will return to collect a missed bin irrespective of the reason why it wasn’t emptied e.g. if the bin was not put out on time for collection.
“As part of the review, changes are proposed which would mean the council will only return to empty a bin if it has been genuinely missed by the collection crew.”
The authority added its bin lorries have ‘in cab units’ which allow crews to record addresses where the bin hasn’t been put out or if it is contaminated with unsuitable waste.
This updates on a central IT system so if a resident calls to say their bin has been missed staff will able to see if the report is genuine or not.
The council estimates the current ‘missed bin’ system, where almost every missed report is dealt with, is costing it £100,000 a year.
A consultation is being run on the plans before a final decision is made by the council’s leisure and environment committee on September 27.
