RESIDENTS are being encouraged to sign up for a larger food waste container as rubbish collections in Bournemouth are set to change.

From Monday, April 24 the council will introduce alternate weekly collections for rubbish and recycling for households across the borough.

Residents will continue to use their 240 litre Big Bin for recycling and 140 litre Little Bin for rubbish which will be collected on alternate weeks.

These changes will also include flats with the Big Bin, Little Bin arrangements.

Food waste will continue to be collected on a weekly basis and is offering residents the opportunity to have a larger 23 litre food waste container. Alternatively, people can continue to use their 12 litre food container which will also be collected weekly.

Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for cleansing and waste, said: “The introduction of alternate weekly collections safeguards the waste collection service by making it sustainable in the long term.

"As part of the proposals, we are also making a commitment to continue with the weekly food waste collections.

“We recognise Bournemouth residents already recycle a huge amount so we hope they will be as enthusiastic about using the enhanced weekly food waste collection service."

Larger households, those with children in nappies and those who have a medical condition which generates extra waste may request an assessment for an extra rubbish bin if they meet specific criteria.

For more information and to request a food waste bin go to bournemouth.gov.uk/binchanges.