THE second phase of East Hampshire District CouncilÕs massive operation to switch its 45,000 households to a new system of refuse and recycling collection has been delayed.

Nineteen thousand households in the first phase, including Petersfield, started the new alternate weekly collection of recycling and refuse in May.

The system, which was introduced to meet government recycling targets, got off to a disastrous start, with the district council switchboard at Penns Place being jammed with complaints.

It emerged that around 4,000 residents had been given the wrong information about what day and which bins would be collected because an incorrect database had been used by Onyx, the councilÕs refuse contractors.

The remaining 26,000 households, including homes in Liss, Buriton, Clanfield, Colesmore and Priors Dean, East Meon, Froxfield, Hawkley, Langrish, Steep and Stroud were due to begin the new system this month.

But a spokesman for EHDC announced this week that owing to Òoperational mattersÓ the second phase would not now be introduced until October 28.

Waste Reduction Officer Sarah Incher said; ÒThe delay is mainly due to the fact that we didnÕt allow enough time in phase one for the delivery of bins, and we want to make sure we get it right this time. We learnt a big lesson during phase 1 earlier this year.Ó

The new system involves the collection of refuse in green bins one week, followed by the recyclables in black bins and garden refuse the next week.

Ms Incher said delivery of black recycling bins started during the week beginning September 9.

ÒWe estimate that it will take about six weeks to complete deliveries but anyone who has not received their bin by October 18 should contact the district councilÕs waste reduction team for further advice.Ó

She said each household in phase two would be sent a leaflet containing information on getting started with alternate weekly collections.

All householders will also receive an advice card showing whether their first collection under the new scheme is for recyclables or refuse.