OAPs angry over new wheelie bins (From Oxford Mail)

OAPs angry over new wheelie bins

5:45pm Wednesday 27th May 2009 in Search

Pensioners in Wallingford have claimed they will not be able to cope with the town’s new wheelie bins.

South Oxfordshire District Council has delivered thousands of wheelie bins to residents in the town ahead of the launch of its new refuse collection scheme on Monday, June 8.

Each home has been given two wheelie bins — one black and one green — for alternate weekly collections of rubbish and recyclables. A smaller kitchen caddy has also been provided for weekly food waste collections.

However, pensioners have claimed the bins are too heavy and difficult to store and have called on the council for a re0think.

Lena Townsend, 79, who lives in Reading Road with her disabled husband Vernon, 86, said: “I don’t know what I’m going to do, I can’t lift these bins. I don’t feel I can cope any more.

“They are enormous. They are blocking the entrance to the shed at the moment – I don't know where else to put them.”

Eleanor Fuller, 80, of Thames Street, said: “Our next-door neighbours will have to wheel the bins through their house to get them out. We are all furious about it.”

Residents could also end up with a third wheelie bin if they opt for the paid-for garden waste service.

A South Oxfordshire District Council spokesman said: “We already offer a service for our elderly and disabled residents to assist with their collections and this service will continue.

“If someone is struggling to use the bins they should call our hotline on 03000 610610.

“We are encouraging residents to give the new bins a chance for a couple of weeks to see how they get on.”