HOUSEHOLDERS will see their recycling bins collected every four weeks under cost-saving proposals.

Cardboard and paper for recycling in Pendle will be collected every four weeks instead of every fortnight from April.

And brown bins for glass bottles, jars, cans and plastic bottles will be collected every four weeks too.

The move will see Pendle Council save around £190,000.

From April, the authority will lose its annual subsidy from Lancashire County Council of £760,000 towards its waste and recycling service.

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, leader of Pendle Council said: “Pendle Council is having to make the changes in a bid to save around £190,000.

“From April we lose Lancashire County Council’s annual subsidy of £760,000 towards our waste and recycling service, so we have had to find a new way to provide this service.

“Following a consultation, where over 2,200 people gave their views, we are putting in place the changes which over half – 56 per cent - said would be the best option for them,” he said.

“Most people told us that do not put their recycling bins or containers out fortnightly,” he added.

“We have gone for the option which will cause people the least disruption.

“The blue bin is completely optional and anyone who wants one can also arrange to have their green box removed for free.

“But if people want to continue recycling paper and card in their green bin or in a cardboard box or carrier bag, they can.”

Grey bin collections of rubbish will continue to be collected fortnightly and green bin collections for garden waste will continue to be fortnightly, for those on the optional scheme.

Collection days will stay the same but there will be a different recycling collection on different weeks.

The council said it is offering an optional free blue wheelie bin for people who want to store paper and card for four weeks.

The new blue bins can be ordered anytime until Friday, March 2 and will be delivered between March 12 and March 29 to anyone who has requested one.

Cllr David Clegg, who leads on recycling said: “We’re running three roadshows in February so that people can come and chat to staff about the changes and see what the new blue bins are like.

“And we’ll be delivering a new calendar explaining which bins to put out when to every home in Pendle in March,” he added.

The roadshows, which include the chance to order a bin, are being held at:

• Asda, Colne on Thursday, February 22 from 12 noon – 6pm

• Morrisons, Nelson on Saturday, February 24 from 10am – 2pm

• Co-op Barnoldswick on Wednesday, February 28 from 2pm – 6pm

For more information about the new service, visit www.pendle.gov.uk/bluebin