West Berkshire Council’s new bin collections under fire from pensioner who says policy doesn’t consider people’s health needs

A woman, whose health issues have left her reliant on incontinence products, has slammed a council’s decision to reduce black bin collections.

Carol Pettifer says West Berkshire Council has failed to consider the many people like her when it took the decision to stretch waste collections to every three weeks.

The council introduced the policy last month as part of efforts to improve recycling rates and reduce waste.

It will also save the authority around £150,000 a year.

But Mrs Pettifer - who in an interview with the Newbury Weekly News bravely revealed she has lived with double incontinence since 2014 - says the switch will remove the dignity her health problems already mean she struggles to maintain.

She explained: “By the time they come to collect my bin I will have roughly 84 pads in that bin.

“Nobody is mentioning people with health needs.

“There’s no dignity, but I don’t feel like they have sat and thought about what would they do in this situation.”

The former geriatric nurse - who says she’s ‘hot’ on cleanliness and hygiene thanks to that previous medical training - admits to being self conscious and worried about the impact leaving her bin an extra week will have, particularly in the warmer months.

The 79-year-old also calls into question the council advice for hygiene products and nappies - that includes double bagging items and adding air fresheners to the bin - both of which she says ultimately contradict any efforts to drive-up recycling.

While Mrs Pettifer remains fiercely independent, she says the advice is also impractical for carers of the elderly or sick who are under immense time pressures.

And she fears the lengthy time between collections will ultimately tempt some households to dump more odorous waste elsewhere.

“Carers won’t have time to follow this extra advice” she added.

“They will just have to carry on slinging it into the bin.

“People will start putting things into bins that they think will be more regularly collected.

“People will start putting the waste in the public bins.”

West Berkshire Council insists support is available and being provided to those who need it, with the council having sent out 460 larger or second bins to residents that require extra support - double the number delivered in 2024.

It is encouraging anyone with questions or concerns to contact them for help.

In a statement it added: “We know that moving to three-weekly black bin collections is a big change for some residents, particularly for residents with additional health needs.

“In similar situations, we’ve offered extra black bin capacity, assisted collections for residents who can’t easily move their bins, and supportive phone calls or visits from our Waste Officers.

“These aren’t inspections but friendly supportive conversations to share advice and practical tips on reducing waste and managing odours, such as squeezing out air from waste bags before tying it up to slow bacteria growth; double-bagging waste; using bin fresheners or odour neutralisers; keeping bins in shaded areas where possible and arranging regular bin cleaning if feasible.

“Our team remains available to discuss any further adjustments that might help.

“Three-weekly collections are already working successfully in areas like Bracknell, Stratford-upon-Avon, and East Devon, and are being introduced in other councils across the country such as Mid Sussex, Lancaster, South Gloucestershire, and East and Mid Suffolk. Our service also provides more bin capacity than many others who provide smaller standard bins.

“This change is part of a wider plan to reduce waste, increase recycling, and protect our environment.

“Our analysis has shown that 42 percent of the waste in black bins could have been recycled using the kerbside services already available. West Berkshire is among the top 10 percent of the highest-waste-producing areas in England, so this change is an important step forward.”

Residents can find more information and practical advice online at www.westberks.gov.uk/3-weekly-collections or by calling Customer Services on 01635 551111.