Whilst noting the new bin collection timetable following the Bank Holiday, Hitchin residents should also be aware that the council will soon be implementing a £40 charge for those who damage/break their bins.

In a note to Councillors, council officials explained that damaged bins will be screened and "if a repair cannot be made, then a charge of £40 will need to be paid to receive a replacement non-recycling bin (purple lidded) we have delayed implementing this charge as we have not had the infrastructure for online payments to be made. This is currently being built along side of the self-serve improvements being made the website".

North Herts District Council have also updated their FAQs (below) ahead of the role out of the new bin service.

When will be bin be delivered?

We are glad you are keen to receive your new bin. We are currently delivering so cant give you an accurate date, but we anticipate all bins should be delivered by mid-June. That said, we are delivering according to collections so resident with a Monday waste collection day, will get their bins first.

I think i have been missed, I haven't been delivered a blue lidded bin

We are sorry you have been missed. Please email us x with your address and we will check if you were due a delivery, if you were, we will get a bin out to you as soon as we can. Please note you won't need this bin until August so we may finish all of our scheduled deliveries first and then revisit area properties that were missed.

I have been delivered the wrong bin

If you have been delivered a blue lidded bin but you already have one, please email xx and advise us of your address. We can exchange this bin for the black bin you need in the next few weeks.

I don't have space for the new blue lidded bin

The new bin has a similar footprint to the existing paper boxes so should not occupy much more space. We do of course appreciate that this additional bin requires space but it will be of huge benefit to you when we introduce service change from August. We do have a list of property who have no front storage or rear access so we will be providing a reusable sack, if you think this applies to you, please contact us on x so we can check. We are unable to provide sack collections for properties with front or accessible rear gardens.

I don't want another recycling bin

Our new service is designed to meet the governments 'Simpler Recycling' requirements which requires the separation of cardboard and paper. You will be unable to include cardboard and paper in your mixed recycling bin or non-recyclable waste bin from August. All three bins are integral to the alternating three weekly cycle and therefore you are unable to opt out of this bin delivery.

I have had two bins delivered

Oops, looks like we have given you too many bins, please let us know your address by emailing XXand we will come and collect it from you. Please do make sure that the bin wasn't meant for one of your neighbours of course. My bin arrived without a sticker and letter Please email us a x and we will arrange for a sticker to come out to you and we will email you a copy of the letter.

My new bin is damaged

We are sorry to hear that your new bin did not arrive in perfect condition. Please email x and will come and collect the broken bin (we will try and repair it first though if we can)