Rethink rubbish

TOPSHAM s residents are being asked for their views on plans to change household refuse and recycling collections.

TOPSHAM's residents are being asked for their views on plans to change household refuse and recycling collections.

The environment and leisure department at Exeter City Council is looking at ways to boost its recycling rates and save money, prompting the local authority to ask people for their thoughts on changes.

People are being asked what they think of moving to a four-day, Monday to Friday collection week. And, opinion is sought on plans to move rubbish bins from back alleys to the front of properties.

A council spokesperson said any change could save the authority �100,000 per-year and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Kevin Mitchell, lead councillor for environment and leisure, said: "Every year we collect around 40,000 tonnes of waste from homes.

"Although the cost of collecting household waste is very good at 37p per-week per-house, like everyone else at this time we are having to tighten our belt and make savings where we can.

"If we can collect less waste and recycle more that brings the cost of collections down as well as helping the environment.

"By moving collection to just four days a week, we would do away with the confusion over collection dates following Bank Holidays and save money.