CITY refuse bosses are preparing to roll out new recycling bins in a bid to tackle Southampton’s waste problem.

But the special bins, for common plastics like yoghurt pots and food trays, won’t be sent out to people’s homes.

Instead, residents will have to travel to one of seven locations across the city which will host new plastic bin banks.

Civic chiefs say the 10 new bins, set to be rolled out later this month, will boost city’s recycling rates.

But critics warn that putting the onus on people to visit bin banks might stunt their usage.

Portswood resident and Green Party politician, Ron Meldrum, was one to raise concerns.

He said: “I think anything we can do to stop plastics going into an incinerator has got to be welcomed.

“However a lot of people are lazy and if that means walking a mile to go to a plastic bank then are they going to use it?

“I think people will use them, but it will be people who already have recycling in mind.”

Bin bosses say the 10 new bins will each be 7.55 cubic yards in size - the equivalent of two textiles banks.

They will be placed in existing bin bank areas, including Angel Crescent car park, in Bitterne, Canon Street in Shirley and Oakbank car park, in Woolston.

Plastic such as yoghurt pots, ice cream and margarine tubs, fruit punnets and meat trays will all be accepted by the banks, which are expected to stay be in place for two years.

Civic chiefs say these types of plastics cannot be successfully sorted in the council’s current recycling facilities without significant investment in new equipment.

However bin bosses say they are “hopeful” of reaching a longer term solution – which may include recycling these plastics as part of the household collection scheme.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, cabinet member for environment and transport said: “Since 2013 our recycling rates across the city have increased from 26 per cent to 32 per cent.

“We’re keen to build on this increase and one way of achieving this is to offer our residents the opportunity to recycle their additional plastics.

“Many of our residents are keen recyclers and have requested that we recycle all types of plastics.

“We’ve listened to our residents and this is the first stage in making that happen.”

The announcement comes following a report into the city’s change to alternate weekly bin collections.

The report revealed how fly-tipping has shot up and the number of complaints about pests has doubled since the scheme was introduced in June last year.

However, bin bosses say the majority of city residents have now got to grips with the change.