OXFORD’S new recycling collections begin on Monday and the councillor responsible insists preparations have gone as smoothly as possible.

But some city residents have told the Oxford Mail they are yet to get their new blue wheelie bins.

Jean King, 80, of Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys, said they had missed four houses in her street.

She said: “When we phoned the council and told them, they said we were not listed. Our neighbours said they had been told the same thing.”

But councillor John Tanner said Oxford binmen had accompanied the bin delivery men to make sure addresses were not missed.

He said: “We have focused on making sure all householders have got at least one blue bin to start with.

“Some people who already have them will not have received a second one.

“If they want a second blue bin, they will get one in due course.”

Many flats are not included in the system.

The new 240l or 140l blue bins mean recyclables will no longer have to be sorted by hand, and food packaging and plastic bags can be recycled for the first time.

Mr Tanner said: “There are bound to be problems somewhere, but I think this is a remarkably successful operation, that will cost taxpayers about £1m less each year.”

  • To get help visit oxford.gov.uk, email recycling@oxford.gov.uk or call 01865 249811.