Following its decision to introduce new green bin collection charges from August, Warwick District Council has explained how the new '123+' bin collections will work.

WDC announced the new three-weekly service last year, with Biffa Waste Services Ltd announced as the contractor.

Whilst the council has been criticised for a lack of communication over the system, it will begin on August 1 2022.

The '123+' system is the next step in the merger between WDC and Stratford-Upon-Avon District Council.

The biggest change following the green bin announcement will be that food waste will be collected weekly for all residents, regardless of whether they opt in for the new garden waste collections.

This is how it will work:

1. Food Waste Collections

Food waste collections will take place every single week under the new system.

Households will have a 'food caddy' to use inside the house, and a large food waste bin to be put out for collection each week.

WDC said a third of household waste was food.

2. Mixed Recycling

A fortnightly mixed recycling collection will now take place.

Residents will not need to sort their recycling any more, and it will all go into a new blue-lidded wheelie bin.

3. General Refuse

Every three weeks there will also be a general refuse collection using the existing grey bins.

+ Garden Waste

Households that choose to pay the £44 annual subscription for garden waste collections will receive this on a fortnightly basis.

WDC said the new system would be more efficient and help cut down on waste.

"The new food waste recycling service will make it easy for people to recycle their food waste every week.

"This will help remove any smelly waste from refuse bins and provide more space for other rubbish.

"It also helps people realise how much food they waste each week and acts as a prompt to reduce avoidable food waste."

Information on how to sign up for green bin collections will be released by the council soon.

See the WDC website for more information.