BASILDON residents are being asked for their opinions on how their waste should be collected, with council bosses saying the new consultation saw a "record-breaking" response on the first day.

Basildon Council is urging residents to take part in the consultation which includes options to return to weekly collections for non-recyclable waste, and changes to the collection of recyclable waste.

It comes as plans are being drawn up to bring back weekly bin collections and simplify recycling across Basildon, at a cost of £3 million to the council. Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council, wants to scrap the current "disastrous bin system" which includes a fortnightly recycling scheme that requires people to separate their recycling themselves.

The council has revealed that a new waste consultation has received 2,036 responses in its first 24 hours. This is almost eight times the number of responses to previous consultations on waste – a record for consultations launched by the council, the council says.

The existing system sparked fury across the borough including a petition signed by 2,606 people who were frustrated with the changes. At the time the Tory lead administration insisted the changes were introduced in a bid to improve poor recycling rates across the borough.

Aidan McGurran, cabinet member for the environment and leisure, said: "I had no doubt the resident response to this consultation would be incredible – but I am staggered by how many have submitted their surveys within the first 24 hours – and I am delighted.

"Our residents have made it clear they are deeply, deeply unhappy with the present waste collection system but it is very gratifying to see that this is already translating into levels of engagement we have never seen before.

"When we were elected to lead Basildon Council back in May we committed to residents that we would fix the bins. We have moved as quickly as we are able to launch this consultation and get things moving.

"This consultation is residents' opportunity to have their voices heard on what is and isn't working for them, or what they would like to see more of. We want to hear from as many people as possible. All responses will be considered before proposals are presented to Cabinet later this year."