Bins as heavy as 90kg filled with building rubble are the reason for the new weight limit, a Kirklees councillor has claimed.
On Tuesday, the council’s cabinet backed a shake-up of domestic bin rounds, which said binmen and women would now refuse to take bins that were overweight.
Officials have also warned that bins that are overflowing so the lid can’t close will also be ignored.
Now the council has heard Clr Cathy Scott responding to a question from Clr Kath Pinnock weight limits for a wheeled bin.
Councillors heard some bins weighed as much as a 14 stone man.
Clr Scott, the cabinet member responsible for refuse, said the issue was caused by a minority of residents.
Clr Pinnock said if a resident could push their bin out themselves then how could bin men deem it too heavy?. But Clr Scott said the issue was bins that were left on the pavement and filled with heavy building waste.
Clr Pinnock asked if bin men would be getting scales to check the weight but was told they will not.
The changes, to be implemented from September 7, will mean a change of collection days for many households as domestic refuse teams move to a four day week, Monday to Thursday. Friday will be reserved for vehicle maintenance.
Clr Scottsaid: “In the past we have resisted changing bin days for residents in order to provide a top quality service with continuity, but this has come at the cost of efficiency, as over time new estates and properties are added to rounds that unbalance them.
“We are now at a point where we need to deliver the most efficient service.”
The council said the plan would save £496,000 per year and no redundancies would be needed. But ten temporary staff will be axed.
The council will write to all residents with details of changes.
