CAMPAIGNERS say Dorset County Council is not giving its residents big enough bins to take a fortnight’s waste.

The criticism comes following reports that the number of councils providing smaller bins than the standard size almost doubled from 2010 to 2013.

The introduction of 140 or 180-litre bins – instead of the standard 240-litre – has often been combined with a reduction in the frequency of collections.

Dorset Waste Partnership introduced 140-litre bins as part of a scheme which has already been introduced in Christchurch, East Dorset and North Dorset.

It has credited the scheme with huge increases in recycling rates in Christchurch and East Dorset.

Doretta Cocks, of the Campaign for Weekly Waste Collection, said: “Council tax payers will question every penny they pay to their councils for what should be a priority service.

“The majority of families will not be able to cope with a 140-litre bin for a fortnight.”

Dorset’s scheme includes a 240-litre bin for most recycling, a box for glass bottles and jars and a lockable container for food waste.

Steve Burdis, director of Dorset Waste Partnership, said: “The bin for rubbish is smaller than their recycling bin because the new service allows them to recycle much more than before, including food waste, bulky cardboard and mixed plastics.”

Critics have claimed a reduction in bin sizes will mean more fly-tipping, but Mr Burdis said: “We have not seen a notable rise in fly-tipping.”