Fortnightly refuse collections will start in Middlesbrough this August, it has been confirmed.
The change will bring Middlesbrough into line with most other councils both locally and across the country.
Households of three or more are entitled to a free larger black refuse bin to replace the current 140 litre black bins.
If you order a larger bin before June 21, they will be delivered before the switch to fortnightly collections begins in August.
Online calendars will be updated shortly to confirm fortnightly collection dates.
For those who have already requested a bigger bin, yellow stickers will begin to arrive in the post this week.
These should then be attached to the current, smaller bin and will indicate to the Council’s bin crews that it needs to be replaced.
Residents are being asked to continue to only put their current refuse bin out on usual collection days.
The old bin will be removed and the new one delivered on the same day, on your usual collection day.
The removal of old bins and delivery of new ones begins on Tuesday, June 11 and will take a number of weeks over the summer period. Residents should not leave out their refuse bin as it will only be changed on a regular collection day.
The old bins will be emptied and then laid flat before being removed.
A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “Any qualifying households who want a bigger bin still have the chance to apply for one in time for fortnightly collections starting in August.
“Please do not worry if your bin is not immediately replaced on your usual collection day as the process will take a number of weeks. Everyone who applies before June 21 will receive their new bin before fortnightly collections start in August.
“We thank the people of Middlesbrough for their patience and understanding.”
Smaller households with only two people can purchase an additional, smaller 140 litre bin in addition to their current bin, which will be delivered before fortnightly collections begin in August.
A red sticker will arrive in the post to be fixed to the new bin in households which have ordered one, so Council bin crews know it is an authorised additional bin.
Again, those households should continue to only put their refuse bins out on their usual collection day.
Residents with communal bin collections and those who live in a high or low rise property will not be affected by bin changes.
Answers to a full list of frequently asked questions – and information on how to request a larger bin – are available on the Middlesbrough Council website.