Fears Over Vermin And Overflowing Bins As Fortnightly Collections Considered For Brighton

Residents in Brighton have raised concerns about vermin and overflowing bins after a council report suggested ending weekly household waste collections.

Brighton & Hove City Council is due to discuss proposals on Thursday to move to a fortnightly kerbside bin collection system.

The authority says the change could help boost recycling rates, which have historically been low across the city.

Some residents, however, fear the move could lead to increased problems with rats, mice and other pests, particularly during warmer months.

Others believe weekly collections are more practical, especially for larger households that produce more waste.

Concerns have also been raised about bins already overflowing in some areas, with residents reporting missed or inconsistent collections under the current system.

There are worries that reducing collection frequency could make existing issues worse rather than improve efficiency.

Council data shows that around a quarter of Brighton and Hove’s household waste is currently recycled, while the majority is sent to the Newhaven incinerator.

The council argues that encouraging residents to recycle more could reduce the amount of rubbish going into general waste bins.

Council representatives say the waste service has become more reliable in recent years, with crews completing the vast majority of scheduled collections.

They also point out that many local authorities across the country have already moved away from weekly bin collections as part of wider sustainability efforts.

The proposals are expected to be debated by councillors later this week, with residents watching closely to see whether the plans move forward.