A NEW search system has been set up for residents to check if they will get a wheelie bin in Tendring's controversial new waste collection scheme.

In June next year Tendring Council will move from weekly to fortnightly collections of general waste, while food waste collections will remain weekly.

Recycling collections will also stay the same, with paper and plastic collected on alternate weeks.

A spokesman for the council said the majority of households in the district will receive a wheelie bin for their general waste, with the roll-out set to take around three months to complete.

But he said some properties - those which have no side access and no front boundary as well as some rural routes – will remain on a weekly black sack collection.

To start publicising the changes early, posters have been added to several refuse lorries operated in Tendring by contractors Veolia.

Michael Talbot, Tendring's environment boss, has encouraged people to check whether or not they would be having a wheelie bin.

He said: “Although the new waste contract does not begin for several months yet, we want to encourage people to read up on the changes now so they are ready come June.

“This new system allows us to continue our waste contract at hardly any extra cost, and I believe the introduction of wheelie bins to most areas of the district will be welcomed as it should reduce the amount of rubbish caused by split bags.

“The website also contains a whole host of other information, and I really would urge people to look at it.”

To check if you will receive a wheelie bin visit tendringdc.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling/new-waste-service.