Social media has bin going crazy over changes to household waste collection in Kirklees – and now council chiefs have responded.

If wheelie bins are too heavy or left overflowing with the lids up, they won’t be emptied under new rules coming in from September 7.

Binmen will only work Monday to Thursday and bin collection days will change.

As a result of comments on Facebook and Twitter, Kirklees Council has replied to the five most asked questions.

Council chiefs say the changes will save almost £500,000 a year and be “more efficient.”

Question 1: Surely if I can move my bin it can’t be too heavy for you to take away?

Answer: Most of the bins we empty would never be classed as ‘too heavy’. We’re clamping down on people who put rubble, logs and other heavy things into them.

Our crews empty hundreds of bins a day and the lorry needs to be able to lift two at a time, so we have to stick to standard safety limits.

Please take anything that’s extra heavy or really big to your local recycling centre. If you don’t have a car, or know someone who does, you can book in with us online for a bulky waste collection (it could be a while before we get to you though as there are lots on the waiting list).

Question 2: We’re a family of five and our bin is always full. What are you suggesting we do?

Answer: Full bins aren’t a problem; it’s overflowing ones. A lot of the rubbish that goes in grey bins could have been recycled – and a lot of this could have gone in a green bin with no extra effort. Knowing what goes in your green bin will help.

And, like in the question above, if there’s something really big you need to throw away, take it to your local recycling centre; don’t use up your bin space.

Finally, don’t forget your trash could be someone else’s treasure. Charity shops are crying out for donations of books, clothes, furniture etc.

Question 3: Will you be giving us bigger/more bins?

Answer: No. There is no reason why these changes will create more waste in your bins. The crews will be working longer shifts Monday to Thursday and we’re sticking with fortnightly collections so that bins will be emptied exactly as they are now.

Recycling more and dealing with heavy/big items in a different way will stop your bin from overflowing.

Question 4: Why are you making these changes now?

Answer: It’s no secret that all councils need to find ways to save money, and these changes will save £496,000 a year. But it’s not just about saving money, it’s about making things work better.

Over the past few years so many new homes and estates have been built; we’re now at a point where we need to change how we do things. These changes have been planned carefully, and a lot of them are based on what councils in other areas have been doing for years.

Question 5: Does this mean I can have some money back from my council tax?

Answer: The service we’re giving you isn’t being reduced; we are just asking you to think a bit more about what you put in your bin.

The savings we’re making with these changes are essential for the future of the council. They’re going towards the huge £69 million we need to save by 2018.