Cornwall Council refused to collect bags with handles in the wrong colour. (Image: SWNS)
Families have been left both “confused” and “furious” after their council refused to collect bin bags because they had the “wrong colored handle”.
The problem lies in the color of the handles of seagull-proof bags, which are black instead of the required white. This has resulted in waste not being collected for weeks.
The council's decision has been criticized as wasteful and ironic, as the plan is intended to promote recycling but instead creates more waste.
However, the council claims the new “standardised” service will be highly effective.
Residents found tags indicating that their trash had not been collected. (Image: SWNS)
Julie Elworthy, 61, a local resident, described the situation as “an absolute nightmare” and a “waste of taxpayers' money”.
She said: “It took 12 phone calls, nine emails, a conversation with the county councillor, calls to Biffa and direct complaints.
“There is no accountability – the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. But last Wednesday was the final straw: I had to take our rubbish to Saltash landfill, 54 miles away, it was very time consuming but we couldn't leave all the rubbish at the bottom of the street.”
It was only after Julie threatened to withhold her council tax payment – for the first time in 42 years – that a bin was finally delivered to her door the day after her warning.
Julie, a lifelong resident of the village of Millbrook, has criticized the council for failing to provide services paid for by council tax, stating: “The council has breached what we paid for – by paying council tax we have paid for a service they do not have delivered.”
Julie Elworthy has described the situation as an “absolute nightmare”. (Image: SWNS)
She also highlighted the environmental impact of the council's actions, saying: “People have their own waste bins! They are hardly green.”
'Where should the bags go now? It's insane and such a shame. It is ridiculous.
“We're all interested in saving the planet, but I feel sorry for families who haven't picked up their trash in weeks; there's a diaper build-up.”
Julie further criticized the council's approach to waste management: “It's all just more plastic going to landfill – the council is way off.”
She condemned the new waste collection system as ineffective and environmentally unsound: “This 'service' has been in the making for three years and they still haven't gotten it right – it is certainly not a cost-effective or environmentally friendly exercise.”
Previously, residents who could not use standard black bins due to lack of space purchased seagull-proof bags with black handles from the municipality.
Families are furious because their bins have not been collected (Image: SWNS)
However, with the introduction of a new standardized system, the municipality now offers almost identical black bags, only with white handles instead of black ones.
Residents have been instructed to put their old black bags with black handles into the new bags with white handles and throw them away. Yet many say they have not received the new bins and continue to leave their waste in regular bags, which are not collected.
Julie revealed they were made aware of the change to the recycling program through leaflets delivered to their door and parish council newsletters last November. They were supposed to get new bins in April, but they only arrived last week.
Cornish residents have taken to social media to express their views and concerns about the change. One person branded the scheme a 'disaster', while another called it a 'waste of taxpayers' money'.
A dissatisfied resident wrote about the loss of confidence in the municipality and demanded a refund of the municipal tax. They added: “We have no waste collection, no bus service, we have no children and no need for social care.”
“We rarely see a police officer. Nor do we have any confidence in Cornwall Council or our MP. Can we please get our council tax back?”
The bags are designed to keep seagulls out. (Image: Getty)
Another resident complained: “I have been turned away several times for an extra bin or bag and you refused to take my rubbish.”
“That will eventually become a pile. And I hope it won't attract rodents in the end.”
“I've been pushed from pillar to post because no one bothers to help me.”
Yet another said: “My current bin is 31 years old and shows no signs of breaking any time soon! What an absolute waste to stop using it and spend energy replacing it for no reason other than colour.. .
In response to the criticism, Cornwall Council said: “Our new recycling and waste collection service aims to encourage everyone to reduce their waste and increase their recycling.”
“To help with this, we are providing all homes with a new, standardized 180 liter bin or bag, which we collect from the curb every two weeks.”
“All waste must fit into the new bin or bag, which our crews can check to ensure residents are not exceeding the amount of waste they can throw out.”
“It also ensures that every household has a bin or bag that is the right size and in good condition.”
“Once the new waste service is in your area, our employees will only collect waste from the new bins or bags that we have made available.”
“If you have an old bin or bag, we recommend that you reuse it where possible, for example as garden storage.”
“As part of our new waste collection service for Cornwall, for the first time we are asking residents to limit the amount of waste they can throw away to what fits in their bin or protective bag every two weeks.”
“For our collection crews to be able to apply the new waste reduction rule, they need to be able to see clearly that only the new gray bins or bags with white handles that we have issued are being used to take out waste and that no additional waste is put out. Any waste containers that residents still have are also put outside for collection.”
“We encourage anyone who has an existing bag to reuse it, or we can collect residents' old bags once their new waste collection begins, if they book it at www.cornwall.gov.uk/bindivery once the service for their territory opens up.”