£170,000 spent to replace black bins

This includes bins that have been burned out or vandalised, those damaged by collection crews and those that have simply gone missing.

The data – obtained under the Freedom of Information Act – showed Kirklees Council spent £55,950 on replacing the black bins from January 1 2011 to December 31 2011.

A higher amount – £61,350 – was spent on wheeled bins in 2012 and £55,975 was spent on replacing them from January 1 to December 1 this year.

The total cost of replacing 6,931 wheeled bins across the district cost the council £173.275.

The figures also revealed most wheeled bins were replaced in Dewsbury.

In 2011, 893 black bins had been burnt out, vandalised or stolen but the number of replacements increased to 1043 two years later.

There was also a rise in the number of replacements in Batley as the council paid for 401 new bins in 2011, which rose to 461 bins this year.

Coun Robert Light (Con, Birstall and Birkenshaw) said: “At the end of the day most people probably have the same wheeled bin they were given when they were issued in 1993. But people do have a responsibilty to look after them.”

The cost to replace and deliver a bin costs the council approximately £25.