HOUSEHOLDERS who are being forced to get rid of their big grey bins are now being urged to convert them into water butts.

Every home in Bolton will have its 240-litre general waste bin replaced with a slimmer version this year as part of a town hall recycling drive.

And now Bolton Council is offering people the chance to hold onto their bigger bin and convert it into a water butt to save water for tasks like cleaning the car, washing windows and watering plants.

There are 1,000 free conversion kits available and more than half have already been snapped up.

It is hoped the kits could save people money on their water bills — but critics say the freebie is a 'desperate attempt' by the council to get residents on board with the controversial slim bin scheme.

The council's environment chief Cllr Nick Peel said: “We will be recycling all the old 240 litre bins, but we wanted to offer residents the alternative of keeping their old bin and reusing it in a different way.

“If you spend a lot of time and money watering your garden, this is a great idea, which will help you save money on your water bills, as well as help to save the environment by reusing water.”

The slim bin rollout — which will be completed by November — is intended to save the authority £1.25 million per year and increase recycling levels across the borough.

The policy has not been universally popular, with some families saying they will not cope with the smaller bins.

Environmental campaigners are also worried it will increase fly-tipping in the town.

The new bins are set to cost the council £2 million.

Bolton’s Conservative group leader David Greenhalgh said: “I don’t think this offer is going to make people feel better about having to have smaller bins.

“People will rightly be most concerned about the amount of smelly waste and pests they could have.

“We also think this move could affect the amount of fly-tipping in the borough.

“While this may be a positive environmental move, I think it is just an attempt by a desperate council to get people on board with their plans.”

The council and United Utilities will jointly fund the water butt conversion kits which residents can opt to receive when they take delivery of their new slim bin.

The kits will allow residents to convert their old 240 litre bin into a water butt, which can be kept in the garden to collect rainwater.

The kits include a rain diverter to connect the guttering downpipe into the old bin and a plastic tap to go at the base.

The council has been offering the water butt conversion kits to residents for some time and said 687 residents have already applied for one of the kits.

Online retailers are offering basic water butts for between £20 and £40.

Elisa Benson, water efficiency coordinator at United Utilities, added: “It’s a great idea. The conversion kits are really easy for any DIY-er to install to create an instant 240-litre water butt. It saves tap water and if you’re on a water meter that will help you save money too.”

Any residents who are interested in turning their 240-litre bin into a water butt can fill out a short form at www.bolton.gov.uk/loverecycling

BOLTON COUNCIL'S WATER BUTT KITS

The water butt kit will be delivered when residents receive their new slim 140-litre grey bin.

There are only 1,000 free kits available and they must be ordered online at www.bolton.gov.uk/loverecycling

The kit comes with:

- a tap, nut and washer

- a rain diverter kit, to attach the water butt to the down pipe

- instructions on how to convert your bin

A drill is needed to construct the water butt kit.

You should not drink collected rain water, but you can use for your garden and that includes watering and maintaining your plants, vegetables and flowers, topping up water features, garden ponds, cleaning your car and washing your windows.