RESIDENTS in Dorchester have started to receive their new bins ahead of the implementation of a new collection service.

The Dorset Waste Partnership has begun delivering bins to areas of the town including Poundbury and the rest of Dorchester will receive their bins by the end of the week.

Although the bins have been delivering, the new ‘recycle for Dorset’ collection service does not start until March and residents are urged not to put their new containers out yet as their existing service will continue until the end of February.

New containers put out before March will not be emptied.

Each household will receive a 240-litre wheelie bin with a green lid for recycling, a 140-litre grey bin for rubbish, a 23-litre lockable outdoor bin and a seven-litre kitchen caddy for food waste.

Residents are asked to keep their existing green box to recycle glass bottles and jars.

A spokesman for the Dorset Waste Partnership said: “Properties assessed as being unable to use wheelie bins will receive two additional boxes for recycling and a year’s supply of authorised sacks for rubbish.

“Residents who paid for the garden service before October 18 will receive their garden waste bin at the same time as their other containers.

“All households will receive an information pack posted through their letterbox, which includes stickers and a sample of compostable caddy liners.

“New collection calendars will be posted directly to households during February.”

He added: “Residents do not have to be at home when their bins arrive but are asked to take them onto their property and store them as soon as they can. “Residents are also politely asked to move their neighbours’ bins off the pavement if they know them to be away for a few days.”

The recycle for Dorset service is gradually being rolled out across Dorset and aims to reduce costs by £2million a year and increase the recycling rate up to 65 per cent by 2015.

Dorchester residents will be among 41, 000 households to join the service in March, with Purbeck, Broadmayne, the Cerne and Piddle Valleys, Charminster, Crossways, Osmington, Owermoigne, Puddletown and Tolpuddle also coming on board.

Dorchester town councillor David Taylor said he had been contacted by a number of residents concerned about where they were going to put their new bins, particularly older householders concerned about having to move them.

He said: “I consider this a real burden and a possible health risk.”

For more information about the bin deliveries or to report any problems visit dorsetforyou.com/recyclefordorset/delivery or call 01305 221040.