Bins on the way in Sandwell shake-up

Bins will be rolled out to every home in Sandwell as part of the biggest shake-up of rubbish collection in the borough in two decades.

All 112,000 households will be given a new bin while collection dates will be changed at the end of the month.

Sandwell Council is issuing bins for the first time in 20 years to replace ugly bin bags lining the streets, which are often ripped open by animals. They will be delivered to homes from September to December.

Changes to collections, which are being made to ensure street cleaners are sent out after rubbish is picked up, will come in from June 27.

Councillor Derek Rowley, Sandwell's cabinet member for safer neighbourhoods said: "We have had a situation for several years where we had collections across different towns in the borough each day.

"In the past we have had street cleaners targeting an area one day only to have a bin collection the next, leaving streets covered in rubbish. Under the new scheme collections will take place in each town on a specific day – with two, Tipton and Wednesbury, sharing a collection date.

"The following day, street cleaners will be in the area to remove any bits of rubbish that have gone astray."

Councillor Rowley said the changes would mean a cleaner borough. Collection days are still being finalised.

Serco, which runs the borough's waste contract, is making the changes as part of a £20m plan to improve waste services in Sandwell.