DUDLEY'S waste collection calendar for the forthcoming year is running late but residents across the borough will receive them over the coming weeks.

The Dudley Council calendars cover collection details for grey bins (non-recyclable waste), green bins (garden waste) and recycling containers.

Residents are receiving them a little later than usual this year, the council confirmed, after the authority's decision to continue to provide free fortnightly green waste collections from March to November.

Residents will also have the option to extend their green waste collection service from later this year by buying an additional six collections – three in autumn and three in spring.

The additional collections will cost £30 and will extend the service by 12 weeks, based on a fortnightly collection service.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council's cabinet member for public realm, said: "We know the calendars are found useful at many households and I’d would like to thank people for their patience while we reviewed our green bin collections.

"Many councils do charge for the full green waste service, and this is an option we explored, but after receiving more detail on our government settlement we are pleased to be able to continue as normal.

"For residents who also wish to have a collection throughout the winter months we are also pleased to be able to offer an additional chargeable option and full details can be found on our website or on this year’s calendars."

People are asked to use their black box for glass bottles and jars only, blue bag for paper, card, and cardboard only and green bag for plastic bottles, plastic food containers, aerosols, food tins and cans only.

Free green waste collections will start up again from March 28.

Anyone wanting additional green or blue sacks or black boxes can order them online or call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

Residents are reminded to wash hands before and after putting bins and containers out for collection as well as clean bin handles, bag handles and the sides of recycling boxes to reduce the spread of Covid-19.