Most households in Croydon are now the owners of two new wheelie bins as well as their old box bins – but what happens now?

Today (Monday, August 20) until August 31 sees the final round of rubbish collections under the old schedule.

The council is now reminding people that after this they should stop using their current bins and switch to the new ones.

First collections will be on Monday, September 3, and will see 75% of households in the borough being assigned a new collection day.

Councillor Stuart Collins, cabinet member for clean, green Croydon, said: “This is a major change designed to boost the borough’s recycling rate.

“There will be some unforeseen challenges as the new collections begin and I would like to apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused.”

A total of 73% of waste in the borough could be recycled but currently Croydon residents recycle 38%.

Earlier this month, Cllr Collins said the council wanted to “work with residents” stating that some smaller houses had already had the new bins removed due to a lack of space.

Why has Croydon Council issued new bins?

The changes are being rolled out in a bid to hit a 50% recycling target.

More than 200,000 new bins are being delivered in total, with new collections starting in September.

Nearly all of the new bins have been delivered but some areas and properties including converted flats are yet to receive theirs.

Most homes will have 240-litre wheelie bin for mixed paper and card as well as a new 180-litre wheelie bin for general rubbish.

Existing 240-litre bins previously used for general waste will instead be used for recycling glass, plastic packaging, cans and cartons.

What should you do with your old bins?

Once the new collections have begun, unwanted boxes no longer needed for recycling left in your front garden will be collected.

The council is set to release more information about this in September.

A helpline has been set up for queries in the meantime on 020 8604 7282 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or you can send an email to wasteservices@croydon.gov.uk