A west London council is set to remove all dog poo bins across the borough in a move designed to save £160,000.

Conservative-run Hillingdon Council has approved plans to get rid of around 700 dedicated bins, arguing they are no longer necessary.

Instead, residents will be encouraged to dispose of bagged dog waste in standard litter bins or their own household rubbish bins.

The local authority says many of its dedicated bins are already located near ordinary public bins and that existing waste services can absorb the change.

More than 170 tonnes of dog waste are collected in the borough each year.

It is the council’s view that this option “delivers the greatest operational simplification and financial benefit”.

Of the £160,000 achieved in savings, £60,000 has been earmarked for street cleaning operations.

Hillingdon Council says that this funding will provide additional capacity for litter bin servicing in areas across the borough.

The dog poo bins will be removed in phases, and residents will be informed of the remaining disposal options across the borough.

As part of the implementation programme, the local authority will notify dog walker through temporary signage and stickers on litter bins.

Stickers will be installed on selected litter bins, particularly in parks, open spaces and other popular dog walking locations, to reinforce the message that these bins can accept dog waste.

A “simple and positive message” such as “I can take dog waste too” will be used to increase awareness and encourage responsible disposal behaviour.

In recommending the decision, a council officer stated: “Having considered the operational, financial and service implications, officers conclude that the removal of standalone dog waste bins represents the most effective and efficient option available to the council.

“The proposal provides significant recurring financial savings, simplifies waste management arrangements, removes duplication within the existing infrastructure and retains accessible disposal routes for residents.

“The associated risks are considered manageable and can be mitigated through targeted reinvestment, communications and ongoing service monitoring. For these reasons, approval is recommended for the removal of all standalone dog waste bins across the Borough and the implementation of the associated operational and communications measures detailed within this report.”