Council’s new scheme pinpoints litter bins that need attention

Cheshire West and Chester Council is trialling a new scheme this week which will streamline how residents can report issues with litter bins.

New stickers have been placed on 115 bins in the trial, each with a unique QR code which can be scanned with a smartphone.  This then opens a direct link to the ‘Report It’ section of the Council’s website, identifying the exact location of bin.  Residents can report bins that are damaged or need emptying.

Areas included in the trial are Winsford; Grosvenor Park, Chester; Marbury Park, Northwich and Chester city centre’s Big Belly bins.

For some bins you will be able to see when the next emptying is scheduled, so avoiding the need to report it, if it is due to be emptied the next day.

However, Chester’s Big Belly bins operate in a different way. They should not have any issues regarding emptying as they are solar-powered compactor bins, with a system of notification lights.  A green flashing light means it is OK to use it, an orange light means the bin is 80 per cent and a notification message is sent to the Council’s StreetCare teams to empty it.  A red light means it’s full, so please take your litter home or find an alternative bin.  Litter needs to be fully placed inside the bins for them to operate effectively.  Any issues such as vandalism or damage can be reported via the QR code.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore said: “We’re very grateful to everyone who has previously got in touch with us if they have spotted that a bin is damaged or needed emptying.  We really appreciate your help in keeping the borough looking clean and tidy and this new way of reporting faults will be quicker and easier for anyone with a smartphone.

“The ongoing pandemic has seen lots of us out and about in our local area taking daily exercise, there has also been an increase in dog ownership, so bins filled up more quickly as a result.  If you spot a problem with a bin, please use the new system to report it.  We will be reviewing the scheme in a few months."

The Council’s ‘Report It’ app is also available from the App Store and Play Store to report a variety of issues.

The pandemic has seen an increase in dog ownership, new dog owners may not know they are able to place bagged dog mess in any bin, it doesn’t have to be a special dog mess bin.

Pictured - The new QR code on a bin.