A petition opposing plans to introduce three-weekly black bin collections in Wiltshire has now been launched by councillors behind the Say No to 3-Weekly Bins campaign.
The cross-party campaign, led by three Calne-area councillors, was announced last week in response to Wiltshire Council’s proposal to change residual waste collections from fortnightly to once every three weeks from spring 2027.
Campaigners say the newly launched petition will allow residents to formally register their opposition to the plan.
Wiltshire Councillor Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls, one of the organisers, said the proposal could have a significant impact on some households. “This change is presented as a step forward for the environment and for saving money. I understand the intention, but it overlooks the reality for many of our residents.
“For a great many people, especially the most vulnerable, it simply will not work.”
Campaigners argue that storing residual waste for up to 21 days could be particularly difficult for households with young children, people who rely on medical supplies, or those caring for relatives with disabilities.
The proposal to introduce three-weekly collections was approved as part of Wiltshire Council’s 2026/27 budget, alongside a 4.99% council tax increase.
The council has previously said that introducing weekly food waste collections and additional recycling options will reduce the amount of rubbish going into general waste bins, allowing collection intervals to be extended while saving around £3.4 million per year.
The petition will be presented to Wiltshire Council once signatures have been gathered.
Residents can sign the petition online here and follow updates from the campaign on its Say No to 3-Weekly Bins Facebook page here.
Want to know what’s on in Calne? Visit our local events page for listings and to find out how to add your own events for free. Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news. Have you got a story for us? Email editor@calnenews.com or contact us here.
