Almost 1,000 people have signed an online petition against plans to introduce bin collections every three weeks in the Lancaster and Morecambe District.
The petition has been launched at the Change.org website and is gathering support days after Lancaster City Council announced its new controversial waste recycling plans.
Under the changes, grey 'residual waste' bins will be collected every three weeks instead of the current two, as will bins for paper and card, and glass, tins and plastics.
This will come into effect by April 2026.
Householders will be given new bigger 240 litre wheelie bins for glass, plastic and tins; and cardboard and paper, to replace the current smaller green recycling boxes.
In addition, the government has ordered the return of separate food waste recycling.
Homes will be given a small food caddy which can be emptied into a new outside food waste bin, also provided by the council, and collected weekly.
The petition, launched by an anonymous user, said: "In Lancaster, our household prides itself on recycling diligently and composting our food waste in our own garden.
"Despite these efforts, our grey bin is consistently full by the end of the current two-week collection cycle.
"Now, the Lancaster City Council is proposing to change the grey bin collections to every three weeks, a move we believe will exacerbate existing waste management issues.
"For many residents, grey bins overflow even with the current fortnightly collections. Shifting to a three-week schedule is likely to result in even more overflowing bins, leading to increased nuisance and potential health hazards in our community.
"While the council suggests that the introduction of food waste bins will alleviate this problem, for many of us who already compost and recycle extensively, this change will have little impact on the fullness of our grey bins.
"Also, in the current financial times, many families cannot afford to waste food, and so this is another factor reducing the impact of food waste on the content of the grey bins.
"Moreover, extending the period between collections is anticipated to contribute to a rise in fly tipping and littering.
"Overflowing bins and excess waste can attract vermin, such as rats and seagulls, posing significant health risks and potentially increasing the city's pest control expenses. Studies reveal that inadequate waste management can lead to pest infestations, and an increase in litter can harm local wildlife and pollute our green spaces.
"The proposed change threatens to affect the cleanliness and safety of our local environment. We urge Lancaster City Council to reconsider this plan and explore alternative solutions such as optimizing current recycling systems, increasing public educational campaigns on waste reduction, or even piloting a gradual transition to ensure community preparedness.
"We understand the need for sustainable waste management practices; however, any changes to the current system should not come at the cost of our community’s environmental health and safety. Sign this petition to call on Lancaster City Council to maintain the two-week bin collection schedule and collaboratively explore more effective waste management solutions with residents."
At time of writing, 942 people had signed the petition.
A post on Lancaster City Council social media said: "We know one size doesn’t fit all — especially when it comes to waste and recycling. That’s why we're setting up a new cross-party working group to lead the next phase of planning for major changes to how we collect waste across the district.
"On Tuesday May 20, councillors approved proposals to bring our local services in line with the Government’s national waste strategy. Here’s what’s coming from April 2026:
"Weekly food waste collections for every household (a legal requirement)
"New 240-litre wheelie bins to replace recycling boxes for most households
"Three-weekly collections for both recycling and general waste
"We know this raises questions — especially for people in flats or homes with limited space. That’s exactly why this working group is being set up: to listen, consult, and ensure that the rollout works for everyone."
Councillor Paul Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for Environmental Services, said: “Since the proposals were made public questions have been quite rightly raised around how the new system will affect people, particularly those who live in flats and other kinds of housing that may not have space for new bins.
“While we have no choice but to introduce weekly food waste collections due it being a legal requirement, we recognise that we need to do it in a way that reflects the needs of our residents and the realities of our district.
“Likewise, there are many issues around the introduction of wheelie bins for recycling and changes to the collection frequency that people have concerns about.
“That’s why this group is so important. It will ensure that all voices are heard as we shape the detail of how these changes are introduced.”
Read more: Every three weeks bin collections for Lancaster and Morecambe District approved - Beyond Radio
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Every three weeks bin collections for Lancaster and Morecambe District approved
