NEW bins rounds and the chance to recycle yoghurt pots are among changes being proposed for household waste collection in Wiltshire. Wiltshire Council Cabinet chiefs are considering what arrangements to make when new waste contracts come into force in 2016.

Among the proposals is one to allow plastics such as those used in margarine tubs, meat trays and yoghurt pots to be put in kerbside recycling bins.

These rigid plastics are currently collected only at recycling centres but a report to the cabinet says improvements in technology allow the council to meet requirements for collection of a wider range of plastics.

And as part of its deliberations next week, the cabinet will also be asked to approve a two-phase change in bin rounds, starting in April, which are set to result in redundancies among bin crews.

If approved, collection days for residents will eventually change, but the fortnightly cycle of collections will stay the same. However, the changes are likely to lead to redundancies among the bin collection staff as fewer vehicles are required on new rounds worked out to be the most efficient.

The report says there could be more than 30 redundancies, although it is proposed to terminate the contracts of agency staff before considering voluntary redundancies. If the new plans are adopted, savings for 2014-2015 are projected to be about £500,000.

A report says bin rounds have not been reviewed since Wiltshire took over from the former district councils in 2009. It adds: “This results in rounds growing on a piecemeal basis as new housing developments are built.”

The council has set itself a target of reducing household waste from 606kg per household to 545kg by 2015-2016 and to a recycling rate of 50 per cent of household waste by next year (2014). It also aims to use messages about waste collection as part of its public health initiatives, such as encouraging people to cook or buy smaller meals to reduce obesity and waste.