Things could get smelly as families face a three-week wait to have bins emptied #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

HOUSEHOLDS face having their rubbish bins emptied only every three weeks following a dramatic shake-up yesterday.

Gwynedd Council voted to move rubbish collections to once every three weeks[GETTY: PIC POSED BY MODEL]

Gwynedd Council in north Wales voted unanimously to move to collections once every three weeks from October, despite 56 per cent of families saying this would cause problems.

And in central Wales Torfaen Council is to launch a consultation on introducing collections just once a month.

It would mean any resident on holiday on collection day must wait two months before bins are emptied.

More than half of England’s councils operate fortnightly bin collections but Falkirk Council in Scotland has already decided to introduce three-week collections next month.

Doretta Cocks, of the Campaign for Weekly Waste Collections, said other councils are certain to follow Gwynedd and Falkirk.

“This was inevitable once councils got away with fortnightly collections,” she added.

“I have always thought it would lead to three-weekly and monthly collections.

“I feel so sorry for the residents affected.

We’ll be infested with rodents

Bethan Arfonia Williams of Bangor

"Can you imagine what it will be like over the summer? Bins will be full of maggots.”

Residents also criticised the move, fearing increased health hazards and fly-tipping.

Bethan Arfonia Williams of Bangor warned: “We’ll be infested with rodents.

"We recycle all they take and our bin is chock-a-block by the end of two weeks, never mind three.”

Gwynedd Council said it hoped the three-weekly collections would encourage more recycling, save £350,000 a year and reduce the risk of fines for missing recycling targets.

From next year recycling targets in Wales will increase from 52 per cent to 58 per cent, with councils fined about £100,000 for every one per cent they fall below the target.

The council added that it would maintain its weekly recycling and food waste service.

It also plans to collect nappies fortnightly, make special arrangements for the disabled and provide bigger bins for larger homes.

Councillor Gareth Roberts said: “We must persuade residents who continue to throw waste that can be recycled or composted to use the weekly recycling and food waste services.”