Weekly green bin collections in Stockport could be scrapped as part of the council's plan to save money.

The local authority is planning to make the collections fortnightly which is expected to save around £600,000 as part of a waste review.

A report about the change stated that it is "not expected to impact the recycling levels as there was no significant impact when the collections were changed during Covid."

Other changes include increasing the charges of replacement bins from £20 to £25, and changing bulky collection charges to cover the costs incurred by the council.

Other changes could include an increase in the cost of replacement bins (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Stockport Labour Group leader Councillor David Meller said he is concerned about the impact it could have on recycling.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "Stockport has an excellent record of recycling, and we are concerned that the proposed reduction in green waste collection will have a negative impact.

"The Lib Dem Leader of the Council recently announced that with regards to future cuts, 'nothing is ruled out'."

"Stockport Labour is concerned that that general waste will be next, with either smaller bins or three weekly collections."

If approved, the fortnightly green bin collections could help Stockport council save money by reducing the number of vehicles and crew needed to collect waste.

It would also save diesel as fewer miles are travelled by council collection vehicles.

Green Party councillors (L-R) James Frizzell, Liz Crix and Gary Lawson. Cllr Lawson said the Green councillors will look at the budget as a whole during an upcoming vote (Image - Stockport Council)

Councillor Gary Lawson, leader of Stockport Green Party, said: "We don't like making cuts but we know we have to at the moment. It probably will lead to some people dumping their waste.

"The only good thing to be said for it, is that it may encourage more people to compost their garden waste which is better than a big vehicle going round to take all the waste to one site.

"The three green councillors will be looking at the budget as a whole and how we vote. It's possible that the votes of our small group will be very important because the council is under no overall control."

The plan comes after council leader Mark Hunter recently told the LDRS that "nothing's been ruled out" when it comes to service cuts as the local authority looks to balance the books.

According to a council report, Stockport needs to make more than £40 million in savings by 2027/28.

Stockport Council was contacted for comment.