A four-day working week is to be implemented for refuse workers across North Yorkshire as part of a harmonisation of waste services.
Staff will continue to work full-time hours but these will be spread across just four days, with the refuse collection teams working from Tuesday to Friday.
Council chiefs are confident the new system will deliver service improvements, with staff not having to work on Saturdays to catch up every time there is a Bank Holiday.
Consultations with union representatives suggest the change will also be popular with staff, bosses say.
Refuse workers in some parts of the county were already working a four-day week under the old borough and district councils.
But the system will now be rolled out across North Yorkshire as part of a harmonisation following the launch of the unitary authority.
The change will also include new alternative fortnightly collections for recycling as standard.
Households will see one collection for paper and card and one for all other recyclable materials, including glass, cans, plastics and cartons on alternate fortnights.
Council chiefs say separating the recycling allows the council to increase the amount and quality of recycling collected at the kerbside, reduce the cost of collection, and help towards carbon reduction.
Non-recyclable waste will continue to be collected every two weeks.
This model of collection already takes place in the Selby area.
The changes will see thousands of residents move from boxes and bags for their recycling to wheelie bins, with the new system to be introduced in the Malton area this summer and then rolled out across the county elsewhere over the next two to three years.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Greg White, whose responsibilities include waste services, said:
“We have reviewed our recycling service to ensure it continues to provide the best value for money for taxpayers and is fit for purpose.
“We are making sure we do everything we can to increase recycling rates and contribute to our plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“The new model will also mean that everyone across North Yorkshire receives the same service, regardless of where they live.
“We are now writing to all residents in Malton and the surrounding area, advising them to keep an eye out for their wheelie bins, which will be delivered in the coming weeks.
“As we’ve got more than 50,000 bins to provide to households, it will take us a couple of months to deliver them all. So, residents should continue to use their existing boxes until they’re told when their new collections start.”
Council chiefs have estimated the initial cost of implementing the changes will be about £8m over the next five years.
The changes could however save the authority about £560,000 per year, officers claim.
Harrogate district village shares £1million on Postcode Lottery
Free art workshops to celebrate Harrogate's heritage in Valley Gardens
Work starts on £20m care village in Harrogate
Glow Together walk to raise funds for Martin House
Tesco Harrogate shoppers urged to donate gifts for local people
Harrogate MP joins clean water campaigners on River Nidd
Roadworks get underway on Royal Parade in Harrogate
Storm leaves fallen trees and debris at RHS Harlow Carr
1,100-home Harrogate development prompts 'under siege' warning from councillor
Protesters brave wet weather to call for closure of Menwith Hill
Harrogate Railway confirms no fireworks display this year
Harrogate mum launches baby-friendly yoga and sensory classes
Harrogate Mayor's Christmas concert to be made more accessible with BSL interpreter
Harrogate cocktail bar in running for two national awards
Ripon Scout earns all 95 badges in just two years
Harrogate pub supports Poppy Appeal with limited-edition glasses
Harrogate gets mini tractors to boost winter snow response
Birstwith boy's pumpkin trail to support Yorkshire Cancer Research
Opposition grows over 360,000-chicken farm near Ripon despite new manure plans
Harrogate yoga experience with live DJ returns after sell-out debut
