Firm offers 'bespoke' bin service in Northampton - for those fed up of 'overflowing' waste

Mick George is starting to offer a bespoke paid-for wheelie bin service for those 'fed up of overflowing waste'.

The town's waste services provider Amey has come under fire over the past two years for leaving streets strewn with black bin liners on collection days, largely due to a clause in its contract with Northampton Borough Council.

But now skip hire firm Mick George is starting to offer Northampton residents the option of paying Â£19.99-a-month for a "bespoke" wheelie bin service to "pick up where the council left off.".

The Cambridgeshire-based company is one of Northampton Town Football Club's matchday partners.

In an email sent out to Cobblers supporters, the firm wrote: "If you’re fed up with dealing with overflowing bins at home and trips to the local tip, then Mick George can help with its brand new scheduled waste collection service for private households.

"From only Â£19.99 a month, Mick George will provide you with an extra general waste wheelie bin for your home and empty it during the weeks the council don’t, meaning your excess waste is collected regularly with no need to separate any of the waste."

The email later features the tag-line "we pick up where the council left off", offering potential clients a choice of three bin sizes.

The largest option - a huge 660 litre container - will set a customer back Â£29.99 a month. Its customers also do not need to separate their recycling.

Environment cabinet member, Councillor Mike Hallam.

A company spokesman argued the service could actually compliment the council's weekly lorry collections, which have been the subject of much criticism.

But Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for environment, Councillor Mike Hallam (Con, Parklands) said he could not condone the new service.

He said: “With the breadth of services available and a dedicated customer services team on hand five days a week, the borough council reassures residents that additional collections are not necessary.

“To make sure that the waste and recycling services provided continue to meet the town’s needs, the council consulted with residents earlier this year ahead of a new contract being finalised.”

Amey's bin collections on behalf of the council have come under fire over the past two years.

In December Northampton Borough Council announced it would continue to outsource its environmental services contract when the current deal with Amey ends in 2018, rather than bringing the service back in-house.