RESIDENTS have expressed anger after it was revealed they could be charged extra for green bin collections.

The Times reported last week Braintree Council is looking into the possibility of adding a charge for green bin collections in the district.

The council says it is due to factors such as inflation, the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

Following the news, a strong majority of residents said they did not support the proposal, with many saying they would not pay for the service.

In a poll run by the Times, which got almost 900 responses, 92 per cent said they would not be willing to pay for green bin collections.

Residents also expressed their concerns over an increase in fly tipping as a result.

Sue Harris said: “There’s going to be a lot of fly tipping then I reckon. You reap what you sow.”

Caroline Cordeiro added: “It will mean people will have more bonfires to burn the green waste, more fly tipping or just put it out in general waste. More queues at the tip which would cause pollution.”

A Braintree Council spokesman said: “Some 378 local authorities collect garden waste, of which 284 - 75 per cent - charge for collections as a non-essential, opt-in service.

“We do not anticipate an increase in fly-tipping, based on consultation with other councils that have introduced charging.

“With council finances under more pressure than ever, coupled with extra demand on council services, it is essential for the council’s budget strategy to consider changes to the way some services are delivered so that we can continue to prioritise vital services.

“Reviewing fees and charges is part of the way we, and many other councils, can manage those pressures and minimise the impacts on essential services."

They continued: “No decision has been taken yet, but if this proposal does go ahead, those who currently don’t make use of the garden waste collection will not be charged if they choose not to sign up to the service.

“It is also likely that some residents with gardens will choose to compost their own garden waste rather than opting to pay for a service or disposing their garden waste at one of the Essex County Council recycling centres.

“If it is approved, we will communicate full details with residents."