Urbaser, who take over the operation from March 1, will pick up roadside glass and plastics in Tonbridge for the first time. But this fortnightly collection will come into force on September 30.
The introduction of an opt-in garden waste collection will also be delayed. This will cost subscribers £35 a year, rising to £40 when the discount period expires.
The reason for the wait is that it will take time for the logistics of the new arrangements to be finalised.
This includes the provision of new trucks and bins, while giving residents an opportunity to sign up for the green waste option.
The ‘greatly improved’ recycling contract will also feature a weekly food waste service and kerbsides collection of textiles, small electrical items and batteries.
Robert Styles, Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services at Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, said: “Experience shows that introducing major changes at the start of a new contract to such a large number of residents can lead to operational problems.”
He added: “The contract includes a programmed period of time to provide an ‘as is’ service to enable all the changes to be properly managed.”
‘We fully understand that residents would like to recycle more from home as soon as possible’
The joint initiative with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will serve 101,000 homes.
Mr Styles said: “The new contractor, Urbaser, will have a few months to settle into the new contract prior to the new and improved service arrangements being introduced in September.
“This will allow new bespoke fleet vehicles to be ordered, Information Technology systems to be changed, new bins to be ordered.
“And it will also give residents time to sign up for the opt-in garden waste scheme – just a few of the logistics involved in launching the new service.”
He added: “We want to do everything possible to make the transition of services as smooth as possible for our residents
“We fully understand that residents would like to recycle more from home as soon as possible.”
Tonbridge is one of only three local authorities in the country which do not yet offer plastic collections, along with the Isle of Scilly and Rotherham in Yorkshire.
