BIG changes to bin and recycling collections in South Gloucestershire are coming this summer, the council has said.
Most residents will have a new collection day for black bins and some will have green and black bins collected on different days.
The changes are part of a new eight-year waste contract agreed with private operator SUEZ last year, which will lead to black bins being collected every three weeks instead of every fortnight.
South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed that three-weekly black bin collections will begin in May next year.
Before then, the council says that around 85% of residents will have a new collection day for black bins and recycling from August.
The council will post a printed guide to households next month, with details of the changes and the new collection dates.
A council spokesperson said: “A new monitoring system will track how the service is performing. A new council app will help residents check their collection calendar, get recycling advice and set collection reminders.”
The council voted to move to three-weekly black bin collections last November.
When they start next May soft plastic recycling, which includes wrappers and plastic bags, will also be rolled out to all households.
Some homes in Downend and Mangotsfield, Hambrook and Soundwell have been having soft plastics collected at the kerbside since last year, as part of an experimental project.
Recycling and food waste will still be collected weekly, with food waste collections extended to include flats.
A free fortnightly subscription collection service for nappies and other absorbent hygiene products will also be launched.
The new contract will also see new black bin vehicles introduced in a bid to reduce carbon emissions on rounds.
Sort It recycling centres and waste disposal will be taken back under council control.
The authority says the aim of the changes is to “improve the efficiency and value for money of collections”.
Council cabinet member for recycling and waste, Sean Rhodes, said: “Our waste contract has changed, and with this change comes increased recycling options, more efficient and environmentally friendly collections, and ultimately better value for money.
“By taking over the Sort It centres and disposal facilities, the council will be able to retain more of the income from reclaimed materials, helping to offset some of the costs of waste collection.As we change over to the new system, this will likely mean changes to collection days.
More information is at www.southglos.gov.uk/recycling.