Manchester's grey bins WILL get smaller, it has been confirmed, after the town hall’s executive signed off plans to improve recycling rates.

The M.E.N. first revealed at the end of April that more than £1m of new bins had been put on order, but the council refused to confirm exactly why.

It then emerged that in order to save £2.4m a year on landfill - which is currently the highest figure anywhere in Greater Manchester - the current 240-litre grey general waste bins were set to be replaced with smaller 140-litre recepticles.

In future residents will be able to order larger recycling bins for free in order to provide them with extra space.

The plans - which won’t apply to apartment blocks that have communal recycling and bin facilities - were signed off by the council’s executive this morning.

They will be rolled out from August, starting in student-heavy communities in south Manchester such as Fallowfield .

The roll out is expected to be complete in October.

Executive member for neighbourhoods, Coun Nigel Murphy, said: “When recyclable waste is not recycled in the bins provided, it harms the environment and also means that money is effectively being thrown away.

“It’s vitally important that we take action now to boost the city’s recycling rates. Doing nothing is not an option and the savings of £2.4m per year made will help us to protect other council services that residents care about, such as road maintenance, leisure centres and play facilities for children.

“We know that the alternative option of moving to three-weekly collections for the existing black bins was unpopular with residents, which is why we have decided to maintain the current collection patterns, but provide new, slimmer grey bins for non-recyclable waste.

Drinks cans in bales
It's all designed to boost recycling rates

“We are confident that this change can be implemented effectively and will continue to work with residents to increase the amount of waste that is recycled in Manchester.”

Residents will be sent a letter explaining when their grey bin will be replaced and outlining what can be recycled in the blue, green and brown recycling bins provided.

It also plans to mount a major drive to improve food recycling rates.