Bin collections are going to change for approximately 80 per cent of households in South Cambs and Cambridgeshire from mid-September.

New bin collection arrangements for around 140,000 residents will be introduced from the week beginning Monday, September 18.

Every household affected will receive a letter in the post from Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, a partnership between Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire district councils, confirming the new collection arrangements.

Bin collections will not change for any resident who does not receive a letter.

The changes follow a review of bin rounds which are typically completed by all councils every few years, taking into account new homes that have been built across the area.

Both councils are also moving to collect bins over four weekdays, instead of five. Therefore from the week beginning Monday, September 18, household bins will not be collected on a Monday.

This avoids the disruption to collections which usually happens after bank holiday Mondays throughout the year as crews catch up.

Changes to bin collection arrangements include new bin days, or adjustments to the order in which their black, blue or green bins are emptied.

The frequency of collections will remain fortnightly, with bins emptied on alternate weeks.

Initially, some residents may find they have two consecutive weeks of the same colour bins being emptied as the new schedule is introduced.

After that, all residents will continue to have their black bin emptied one week and their blue or green bins the other.

As is the case now, bins should be put out ready to be collected by 6am on the day of collection.

Cllr Henry Batchelor, lead cabinet member for environmental services at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "It’s important to ensure that, as new homes are built across the area, bin rounds are as even and efficient as they can be.

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"We don’t want any rounds to get too big as this would only lead to disruption. We have carefully considered how routes operate as we continue to replace our older diesel trucks with new electric ones and those powered by alternative fuels, such as biofuels.

"Additionally, only collecting bins over four days will mean an end to having to remember how bin days are affected by the many bank holidays that fall on a Monday through the year.

"We are writing to all residents that will have a change in bin collection arrangements and will keep our website and social media channels updated.

"We are producing printed information and signs, to help spread the word amongst communities and parish councils.

"It’s important to remember that once the new schedule is up and running, there will be no changes to how often bins are emptied."

Greater Cambridge Shared Waste welcomed its third electric bin lorry in June, and more electric bin lorries are due to replace older diesel lorries as part of the councils' efforts to decarbonise the fleet.

While this reduces carbon emissions, the range of batteries means new collection routes must be carefully planned.