Residents across South Ribble could get wheelie bin to replace little box for cardboard and paper

South Ribble residents could get a wheelie bin for their cardboard and paper waste to replace the box they currently use.

A South Ribble Borough Council meeting heard the authority is to carry out a review of its waste collection receptacles.

Although no changes have been decided upon, cabinet member for environment and streetscene Kath Unsworth acknowledged it would be “a very popular move”.

She was responding to a question from Farington West ward councillor George Rear who asked if there were any plans to provide “proper bins” for cardboard.

Cllr Unsworth said: “It’s under review. I’m sure there will be changes…and there’s loads more [waste cardboard] than there used to be, thanks to Amazon.

“It’s not decided – but when it comes to [the] review, [all councillors] will be involved…because we all know what our residents want.”

Currently, South Ribble households place their recyclable cardboard and paper waste in green boxes with yellow lids.

There are then three different coloured wheelie bins for the rest of the rubbish – a blue bin for plastic, cans and glass; a brown one for garden waste – for which there is an annual collection charge – and a grey bin for all non-recyclable material.

The district authority is also due to make a decision this month on the supplier of the ‘caddies’ it will be rolling out across the borough when dedicated weekly food waste collections begin nationwide in spring 2026.

The council has previously resolved to provide liners for the small containers – to be used in household kitchens to encourage the separation of leftover food from general waste – after evidence from schemes already in operation elsewhere showed residents prefer the repositories to be kept clean without having to wash them out for themselves.

When the liners are full, they can then be deposited directly into a larger food waste bin outside – which would also then remain unsoiled.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.