AN online petition has been launched by a borough resident to try and persuade Thurrock Council to bring back weekly bin collections.

Currently the council operates a rotational fortnightly service for general waste (green/black), recycling (blue) and garden waste (brown) collections - with residents having to pay extra for the brown bin collections.

The council switched to a money-saving fortnightly collection service in April 2024.

Now resident Andrew McLean thinks it's time for a rethink and he has already collected more than 300 signatures of agreement.

Mr McLean says: "Living in Thurrock, I've witnessed the direct impact of the recent decision to shift our bin collections from weekly to fortnightly, both personally and professionally as a council worker.

"This change was imposed without thinking through the repercussions for residents and workers alike. The primary driver for such a decision appears to be cost-saving, but it has come at a great expense to the well-being and quality of life of the community.

"This new schedule has led to overflowing bins, increased fly-tipping, and pest infestations that weren't as prevalent when we had weekly collections.

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"Residents, now forced to cope with mounting waste over a two-week period, are expressing heightened stress and frustration. This stress doesn't just fall on the residents; bin workers are also feeling the brunt of increased workloads and abuse from dissatisfied community members. The mental and physical toll on those who must manage double the garbage collection is palpable. Our community members are dropping out due to the avoidable strain this creates.

"Several other communities have faced similar challenges and have successfully reverted to weekly collections by presenting these valid concerns to their local councils. Studies have shown that regular waste collection cuts down on the need for costly pest control measures and helps maintain public health and safety, ultimately proving more cost-effective in the long run.

"To the decision-makers in Thurrock, it's crucial to prioritize the well-being of both residents and workers over short-sighted budget cuts. We need a responsive council that will listen to the voices of its constituents and address the actual needs of its citizens.

"We urge the Thurrock Council to take decisive action and address this pressing issue. By reverting to weekly bin collections, we alleviate unnecessary strain on the residents and workers, promote a healthier environment, and maintain the beauty of our community.

"Please sign this petition to demand that Thurrock restore our weekly bin collection service and consider the true cost of their decisions on community welfare."

The petition can be found via this link.