Households in North Somerset are being told to prepare for their black bins to only be collected every three weeks.

North Somerset Council plans to cut the frequency at which it collects black bins of household waste, which are currently collected fortnightly, from June.

It is a move intended to save the cash-strapped council money and to boost recycling — with recycling to continue to be collected weekly and a wider range of materials accepted.

An “unprecedented” 9,105 people responded to the seven week public consultation on the plans last year — equivalent to about 10 per cent of the households in North Somerset. Over a third said they would be ready to have their bins collected less frequently.

The change will not affect all households in North Somerset. Properties with communal collections and many town centre properties will keep their current frequency.

Meanwhile people who may struggle with a three-weekly black bin collection due to medical needs, children in disposable nappies, or a larger household may qualify for a larger bin for their rubbish, which can be applied for on the council website.

Recycling will remain weekly and North Somerset Council will become one of the first councils in the UK to collect plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping, such as crisp packets, bread bags, cling film, film lids, biscuit wrappers and vegetable packaging.

New red recycling bags for plastic and metal are already being delivered to households and information packs explaining each household’s new arrangements will be sent out in May before the changes begin. Most people’s recycling and waste collection day will also change in June.

North Somerset Council’s cabinet member for climate, waste, and sustainability, Annemieke Waite, said: “We want to make North Somerset a thriving and sustainable place to live, work and visit. We introduced weekly kerbside recycling collections of a wide range of materials including food waste 15 years ago, and know many people are supportive and enthusiastic about recycling as much as possible.

“However, of the total waste put in black bins, 45 per cent is still made up of recycling. Over a quarter of the bin (27 per cent) is food waste, and almost half of this is unopened food still in its packaging. This is not only wasteful, but costs both residents and the council money.

“I’m so pleased we’ll soon be collecting plastic bags and soft plastic wrapping for recycling as these materials take up a lot of space in black bins. As well as making recycling easier, these changes will significantly reduce the costs associated with waste disposal and instead generate savings of more than £1 million a year to help fund vital local services.

“There is additional support available for anyone who’s worried they will struggle with the changes.”

Three weekly bin collections were previously considered in 2021 but weres dropped early in 2022. The then deputy council leader — now the leader of the council — Mike Bell said it was “not the right time.”

Somerset Council rolled out three weekly bin collections in the part of Somerset it covers in 2021 and 2022. Bath and North East Somerset Council has ruled out the idea — but it is replacing its bin and recycling lorries with electric vehicles that will be charged from the solar panels on the roof of the new Keynsham Recycling Centre.

Neighbouring Bristol City Council went further and consulted on reducing black bin collections to four weekly, but dropped plans following a public consultation. It is still considering reducing collections to three weekly.

You can find out more about three weekly black bun collections and apply for a larger capacity bin, if eligible here: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/threeweekly