Thousands saved in admin and delivery fees for Wyre residents following scrapped bin replacement charges

In September, Wyre Council removed its administration and delivery fees "for the replacement of standard wheeled bins that have been damaged during the collection process or through normal wear and tear."

Exceptions to the new rules include bins damaged "through misuse, for example by putting unsuitable or incorrect materials in the bin, including but not limited to bricks and hot ashes, bins that are damaged through fire and any damaged as a result of not being returned to the confines of the property in a timely fashion."

It came after residents lodged complaints when told they must pay £23 in fees to replace their green garden waste or blue recycling bins, which they said were damaged by bin men.

The damage, mostly occurring as cracks down one or both sides of the bin, was caused by "wear and tear," according to the council.

During 2019 to 2020, seven corporate complaints had been submitted to Wyre Council about the charges.

The delivery and admin fees, which had been in place since the 2017/2018 financial year, were reviewed “with the intention to increase recycling rates in particular, and to support [our] climate change commitment,” documents showed.

Following the scrapped charges, between September 15 and October 15, 170 damaged recycling bins (either green or blue) were replaced for free across the borough.

Before the charge was removed, a total of £3,910 would have been paid to the council in admin and delivery fees for the 170 bin replacements.

By removing the £23 fee, the council said it would "increase the requirement to subsidise the service by an additional estimated £92,000" per year.

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