RECYCLING and refuse changes in Darlington have been ‘extremely successful’, according to council documents.

Darlington Borough Council is on track to save £400,000 in 2015/16 as a result of two major changes to refuse services.

The authority introduced wheeled bins in June 2013 and by October 2014 had implemented a revised weekly collection scheme which sees general rubbish taken one week and recyclable waste picked up the following week.

Despite a number of complaints, the council says the majority of Darlington’s residents have accepted the changes and embraced recycling.

A report released ahead of an upcoming scrutiny committee meeting acknowledges teething issues during an initial ‘bedding-in’ period but says the changes have been implemented successfully across the borough.

It says: “Generally the overall implementation of the revised weekly collection service was extremely successful and residents have accepted the change and embraced the need to separate material from general household waste for recycling.

“The £100,000 saving identified in the medium term financial plan for 2014/15 will be achieved and the ongoing annual saving of £400,000 for 2015/16 will also delivered.”

Recycling in the borough has increased significantly since the introduction of the new system and the amount of recyclable waste collected has risen in the borough by 72 per cent since 2013/14.

The report goes on to say that the cleanliness of back lanes has been improved through the use of wheeled bins.

However, it also suggests the wheeled bins are to blame for a continued rise in the number of small fly tipping incidents in Darlington.

An increase of about 34 per cent over three years is attributed to those leaving rubbish next to their bins.

The report says: “Prior to wheeled bins, residents could put out as much waste as they wanted to on a collection day.

“Once wheeled bins were introduced anything that is placed out for collection that is not within the wheeled bin is now classed as a fly tip and will not be removed as part of the refuse collection service.”

Prepared ahead of a special meeting of Darlington Borough Council’s place scrutiny committee, taking place on Friday, March 20, the report concludes by saying: “With two such significant changes to one of the only services every resident receives on a regular basis, there was always going to be a number of teething issues and some residents unhappy with the new service.”