Wyre Council removes fees to replace damaged bins to 'support recycling'
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It comes after residents lodged complaints with the council after being told they must pay a £23 fee to replace their green garden waste 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.
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Hide AdResidents were furious to learn that replacing the bins would come with an "unfair" delivery and administration charge of £23, plus an additional £6 for a new sticker.
But now the council has removed fees "for the replacement of standard wheeled bins that have been damaged during the collection process or through normal wear and tear."
Only one free replacement per bin will be allowed within a seven year period, in order to encourage householders "to be responsible for and take care of their wheeled bins."
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."
By removing the £23 charge, the council said it would "increase the requirement to subsidise the service by an additional estimated £92,000" per year.