A community fears that charging people to remove bulky waste will lead to fly-tipping because many people can't afford the fee due to rising living costs.
Labour-run Nottingham City Council has said it will charge residents a £20 booking fee to take away waste that exceeds 25kg in weight or cannot fit into household waste bins.
It will be limited to a maximum of six items, with additional costs applying after that amount.
Residents in receipt of council tax support will get one or two free collections per year.
But the proposal was not received well by neighbours in Sneinton, with many saying that they are "struggling as it is".
Retired Mohammed Sulaman, on St Stephens Road, 73, said: "I will not pay for it, no way.
"Why would people have to pay extra for their rubbish to be collected?
"If you live in a house with other people as well, there is going to be more rubbish - it is normal.
"I think it will increase fly-tipping, which is already an issue in Sneinton.
"People would take their rubbish to parks or dump it somewhere."
He went on and said: "It is mind-blowing."
However, Mr Sulaman is not the only one who believes the proposals could possibly increase fly-tipping.
Cllr David Mellen (Lab) was challenged by a member of the public over the plans to introduce the charge at a full council meeting on Monday, March 7.
The resident wrote in a question to the leader: “Have you considered that this will lead to more people dumping items on street corners?
“This is already a problem and will only get worse.
“Also only having one tip for the whole of Nottingham will not work if the amount of people bringing bulky waste increases.
“Do you think people can afford to pay for a collection or even hire a van to go to the tip in today’s current climate?”
Cllr Mellen responded: “Only a handful of councils across the UK offer free bulky waste collections. Until recently we offered this for free. Fly-tipping is a national problem.
“In the last two years there has been 21,179 fly tips reported to Nottingham City Council – many of which have been investigated to identify the perpetrator.
“Unfortunately, fly tipping is often a crime of stealth and despite investigations using the CCTV cameras or seeking information within the fly tip the number of cases brought to justice is relatively small.
“Evidence shows the lockdown triggered by the pandemic led to an increase in the level of consumption in households and big changes in the amount of waste being recycled.
“The increase in consumption was initially in purchasing items in bulk or panic buying and then by many citizens forced or choosing to stay at home for work and making online purchases.
“Consequently, more domestic waste was generated, and this trend continues today. This has put increased pressures on the waste collection system.”
He said there is “little reliable evidence” this will lead to an increase in fly tipping and one local authority who does not charge for bulky waste has the highest level of fly tipping in the country.
The decision to charge for bulky waste was approved by the council chamber.
More residents in Sneinton said this decision came at the "worst time" as they are "under pressure" already with the rising bills.
Unemployed Kyle Newbold, of Sneinton Hermitage, 25, said: "I think many people are against it.
"It would cause even more fly-tipping.
"But the main problem is that many are living on a budget, and for them an extra fee of £20 can make a big difference.
"Sneinton has a problem with fly-tipping anyway - I just do not see what they are trying to get out of it."
Isaac Kimberley, a student on St Stephens Road, 24, went on and said: "I understand what they are trying to achieve, they are trying to discourage waste.
"But I just think that is just adding more pressure on the people who are already struggling with paying their bills.
"Everything is going up, and we have got the war going on that will have major effects on the economy.
"They should impose a plastic tax on businesses, raise it with the government, not putting the pressure on people."
Another resident in Sneinton, who did not wish to be named, added: "This is just a pathetic move.
"We are already struggling as it is, it is so inconsiderate.
"Along with the gas, energy bills that are also going up - now we have to pay extra for the rubbish too?
"I am absolutely shocked - it is so ridiculous."
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