Future changes to bin collections
From 2026, households will receive more opportunities to recycle as part of nationwide changes to waste collections.
What is changing?
A weekly food waste collection service will be introduced, allowing residents to dispose of unusable and expired food items.
We will also be collecting extra items such as glass and cartons (Tetra Pak) via kerbside recycling collections.
As most households will be able to reduce the amount of waste they put in their refuse (general rubbish) bin, the Councils will move to a more cost-effective three-weekly refuse collection.
What collections will I have?
Households will be provided with four collection services as standard:
- a three-weekly refuse (general rubbish) collection
- a three-weekly recycling collection for glass (bottles/jars), plastics (bottles/pots/trays/tubs), metal (cans/tins) and cartons (Tetra Pak)
- a three-weekly recycling collection for paper and cardboard
- a weekly food waste collection
Below is an example of the new three-weekly collection schedule:
Why are these changes happening?
Changes are taking place to ensure the Councils can meet new government legislation.
The new rules, called Simpler Recycling, are designed to make recycling better by making sure the same items are collected for recycling no matter where you live. This will help more people recycle and boost recycling rates across the country.
Will garden waste collections be changing?
No.
Garden waste (brown bin) collections will remain an optional, separate charged for service, with collections continuing fortnightly.
When will the changes happen?
During 2026. Exact dates will be published soon.
What extra bins will I receive?
Most households will receive one extra recycling bin. This will mean that you will have one blue bin for glass, plastics, metal and cartons, plus one green lidded bin for paper and cardboard.
Households will also receive two food waste containers. One will be a lockable 23 litre food waste bin to leave outside for collection, and the other a smaller 5 litre caddy for use in the kitchen.
Why will you be emptying refuse bins every three-weeks rather than fortnightly?
On average, nearly 60% of waste that residents currently put in their refuse (general rubbish) bins could be recycled instead. Therefore, the bin will not fill up as quickly and will need emptying less often.
This reduced amount of general rubbish means the Councils can move to a more cost-effective three-weekly refuse collection schedule from 2026.
Won't this mean that bins are more likely to smell?
Food items, which are most likely to cause bins to smell or attract vermin, are currently collected fortnightly as part of the refuse collection.
From 2026, we will collect food waste every week using a new dedicated service. This means food waste will spend half as long in your bin, helping to reduce smells and mess.
Items placed in recycling bins should already be empty, clean and dry, so it shouldn't smell at all.
How do you know how much residents put in their bins on average?
Suffolk Recycles regularly takes a representative sample of what is going into people's refuse and recycling bins in Suffolk.
You can find the reports on the Suffolk Recycles website.
What if a three-weekly refuse collection will cause me difficulties?
We understand that some households may have specific needs, such as larger families or medical requirements.
We will work with residents on a case-by-case basis to explore suitable alternatives and find the best solution together.
Further information on exceptions, and how to apply, will be published nearer the time.
What if I don’t have room for extra bins?
As we currently do, we will work with residents to look at alternative solutions, such as using smaller bins, or providing sacks instead.
For clarity, the food waste bin will be 23 litres in size, much smaller than a regular bin.
Further information will be published nearer the time.
What about waste collections from flats?
We are currently reviewing bin provision for all flats/communal areas, as well as working with landlords and management companies. This will ensure that sufficient bins are in place ready for when the new collection services start.
Why will there be two different recycling collections?
Having two different recycling collections will help keep paper and cardboard separate.
When paper and cardboard are collected along with items like glass and plastics, they can get damaged or contaminated. Therefore, reducing its recycling quality and value.
Keeping them separate means they can be recycled more effectively and are worth more when sold for recycling.
Who is paying for these changes?
The government is providing extra funding to help councils set up the new recycling and food waste services.
It’s also introducing new rules that make packaging producers responsible for the cost of dealing with the materials they put on shop shelves.
This means that in future producers will help pay for recycling collections, reducing the cost to the taxpayer.
What if I already compost my food waste?
That is good to hear, and if you’d like more details on home composting, you can find helpful information on the Suffolk Recycles website.
However, it is worth noting that home composting isn’t suitable for all food waste. For example, items like bones, meat, mouldy bread, and pasta are best handled through the food waste collection service.
We also understand that not everyone has the space or ability to compost at home.
What can I put in my new food waste bin?
- leftover food, plate scrapings and peelings
- meat and fish (including bones)
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- bread, pasta and rice
- eggshells
- dairy products
- fruit and vegetable
What will happen to the food waste?
The food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where the waste is broken down to produce biogas and bio-fertiliser.
Biogas is used to power vehicles, produce electricity and provide gas to homes and businesses. Bio-fertiliser is used for spreading on farmland.
Can I put the food waste into my garden waste bin instead?
No. The garden waste (brown) bins are used for the collection and disposal of garden waste only.
This is because the garden waste collected via our dedicated collection vehicles is taken to the Material Change Facility in Creeting St Mary to be turned into compost. This facility uses a 'windrow' composting process. Windrow composting is used to process garden waste only and is not able to deal with food waste.
By collecting the food waste separately, it can be taken to a specialist anaerobic digestion facility where the waste is broken down to produce biogas and bio-fertiliser.
What will happen to the recycling?
Recycling will still be taken to the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Great Blakenham, where items are separated, baled and sent to companies who recycle them.
The MRF will be redesigned to sort the glass, plastics, metal and cartons collected via the blue recycling bins.
Paper and cardboard, collected separately in the green lidded bins, won’t need sorting. Instead, it will be bulked up and sent straight to a paper merchant for recycling.
What will happen to the refuse?
Refuse (general rubbish) will continue to be taken to the Energy from Waste Facility in Great Blakenham, where waste is burned at high temperatures and used to generate electricity for over 40,000 homes.
We do not currently, and will not be, sending any waste to landfill.
Will I be able to recycle plastic film and bags?
The facility to recycle soft plastics (such as film and bags) at home will be introduced by April 2027.
Currently these items can be recycled at many supermarkets in the county. Visit the Recycle Now website to find your nearest location.
Where can I find more information?
More information can be found on the Suffolk Recycles Simpler Recycling webpage.
Our latest press release is also available to read.
We’ll continue to share updates as we get closer to the rollout, and households will be sent information directly too.