From early August, some households in Southend have begun to receive their wheeled bins. This is part of a phased approach to changes to the recycling and waste collections, that will be changing from 28 October 2025 as part of a new contract that started on 5 April 2025.
The scheme will make it easier for residents to recycle more and reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste thrown away. This will reduce the city's carbon footprint, be good for the environment, and reduce the disposal cost of waste that cannot be recycled.
Question of the week - when will my bins be delivered?
Wheelie bins are currently being delivered (over a 12-week period) up to Thursday 11 October.
What do I do if my new service wheelie bins have not been delivered?
If your bins have not been delivered but you think that they should have been please use our online form to log your query. Please do not complete the form before the 12 October, as it is possible you will still receive your bins before this date.
Where is my letter?
All letters should have been delivered by 27 August. If you still have not received yours, please call us on 01702 215006.
The letters to confirm whether you will remain on sack collections or move to wheelie bins have been delivered in stages throughout August, based on each property's usual bin collection day.
Where do I get numbers for my wheelie bins?
We do not provide wheelie bin numbers, if you want to add your property number to your bins you would need to provide these yourself.
What will happen?
Most homes will switch from plastic sacks to wheelie bins for both recycling and waste that cannot be recycled. Properties suitable for wheelie bins will receive
- one 180l black bin with a black lid for waste that cannot be recycled collected fortnightly
- one 180l black bin with a pink lid for plastic, glass and cans collected fortnightly
- one 180l black bin with a blue lid for dry clean paper and card collected fortnightly
- 23l blue caddy for food waste will continue to be collected weekly
- textiles white sack - monthly bookable service
- small electricals - carrier bag provided by resident - monthly bookable service
- 240l green bin for garden waste weekly via paid for subscription
New bins will be provided to increase the quality and quantity of recycling and these will be collected on alternate weeks. The few things left over which cannot be recycled will go into a black bin, which will be collected fortnightly, as agreed by our cabinet on 31 October 2023.
What are the benefits of changing to wheelie bins?
Changing from a sack waste collection service to using wheelie bins has many advantages including:
- higher levels of recycling
- better quality of recycling materials by separating paper and card
- lower rates of injuries for residents and crews from moving sacks
- less street litter from sack spillage
- cleaner streets
Southend-on-Sea residents currently use over 10 million single use recycling sacks annually.
Who decided on the criteria for wheelie bins or sack collections?
Our previous cabinet approved the detailed criteria for which properties suitable to have wheelie bins.
Properties have been assessed using the following criteria:
- space to store the bins within the boundary of the property
- that there is access to move the bin in and out of the boundary of the property
- that there are no hazardous points that affects the movement of the bins such as steep steps or steep inclines
- that there is an acceptable distance for crews to move the wheelie bins
What are the criteria for properties not suitable for wheelie bins?
SUEZ have carried out property surveys on behalf of us across the whole of the city. Most properties in Southend-on-Sea can have wheelie bins.
The criteria for not having wheelie bins are:
- insufficient storage or space for the bins
- no access
More detailed criteria below for properties that are not suitable:
- no rear, side access or front area
- no point of collection
- impractical to pull wheelie bins out e.g., through a narrow gate, down multiple steps, across very rough ground or through the house. This does not mean blocking access to a car/parking space on a personal driveway
- dangerous to move wheelie bins from storage to presentation point
- bin would have to be wheeled down numerous steps/steep incline
- no suitable presentation point at property boundary
- no access to property boundary by collection vehicle and too far for crew to move bin
I believe my property is not suitable for wheelie bins
If you believe that your property does not have suitable space or access for wheelie bins you can request a review of your property. This may take some time and it is possible that wheelie bins will be delivered to your property before the review process has been completed. You will be notified of the outcome of the review. More information and the criteria can be found on our new kerbside bin or sack allocation and how to ask for a review page.
Do I have to have a wheelie bin?
Yes, if your property has been assessed as suitable to have wheelie bins. We will only collect recycling and waste from the new bins provided by us. We will not collect from other bins.
What if I am staying on sack collections?
All properties in Southend have been assessed to check that they have space to store wheelie bins and that it is accessible to move wheelie bins in and out of this space. If your property is not suitable for wheelie bins you will continue to remain on weekly a sack and box collection service:
- black sacks (provided by resident) for waste that cannot be recycled collected weekly
- pink sack (provided by us) for clean and dry recycling materials collected weekly
- blue box for clean and dry paper and card collected weekly
- green garden waste sacks (by subscription) collected weekly
- blue food waste caddy - collected weekly
I have had bins delivered; however, I have had my letter confirming I am remaining on sack collection/have had a review which means I am on sack collection. What is the process for reporting this?
Where bins have been delivered and their assessment is changing from wheelie bins to sacks, our contractor will return to collect them in due course. Please leave them in a suitable place outside your property for the time being. Please be mindful of pedestrians and do not block the public highway.
Why are there 2 new bins for recycling?
There is better quality recycling if we separate it. This is better for the environment and often means we can process it closer to home. There is also more capacity for materials for recycling than with sacks and the blue box.
Can I still put recycling in bags before it goes in the bin?
When placing items in the recycling bins (pink or blue) - the items should be loose and clean and dry. It helps with the scanning of the materials as it is emptied and with the sorting at the depots. If it is bagged, the contents of the bin cannot be seen by the crews and cameras on the collection vehicles, so they need to be opened and checked causing delays.
What are the dimensions for 180l bin?
The dimensions for the pink lid, blue lid and black lid wheelie bins are:
- overall height lid (closed) - 1050mm
- width (at base, including wheels) - 578mm
- width (at top rim) - 546mm
- wheel diameter - 200mm
- depth - 645mm
Will the old paper blue boxes be collected for recycling at some point?
Blue boxes will not be collected. Residents are encouraged to repurpose or dispose of them at one of our tips.
Where should I store my bin?
You should store your bin within the boundaries of your property, for example to the front, side or rear of your property.
We have undertaken a property survey to ensure that each property only receives wheelie bins if it has space and access. Do not leave bins in the street or on public land.
How do I know which bins to put out each week?
A new resident waste app is now available. If you have a smart phone it takes a few moments to sign up for the app, which can then send you weekly reminders about which bins to put out each week as well as being able to check what you can recycle in Southend-on-Sea. All residents changing to wheelie bins will receive a collection calendar and full service leaflet when the wheelie bins are delivered to your property.
How environmentally friendly are the new wheelie bins?
The new wheelie bins are made in Rotherham in the UK. The main body of all the new bins and the black lids are made from 100% recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) sourced in the UK. Old HDPE products, including old wheelie bins, are ground down, melted and then injection moulded to become our new bins. The only new plastic used is to make the pink and blue lids. The wheelie bins are also recyclable.
I get an assisted collection. Will that continue?
If you have a disability or medical condition and there is nobody else in your household who can help you put out your sacks or wheelie bins, you may be eligible for an assisted collection. SUEZ may visit to assess your needs.
SUEZ will not be able to enter your home to collect sacks or bins, but they can collect it from a more convenient place outside your property.
Apply online or phone Customer Services 01702 215006.
If you already have assisted collection service in place you do not need to re-apply.
I do not generate enough waste to fill a 180l bin every fortnight. Can I have a smaller bin?
Smaller bins are not currently available. We decided to collect with a 180 litre wheelie bin, because this size will provide enough space for waste.
What if we are a large family and produce a lot of waste?
If you produce a lot of household waste, please make sure you are recycling as much as possible.
If you find that the bins provided are not able to meet your needs, you can apply for larger bins if you meet any of the following criteria;
- households with six (6) or more permanent occupants
- households with 2 or more children in nappies or one or more adult using incontinence pads
- households with a medical need which results in large volumes of non-recyclable waste
- households with any other special requirements
Your household must be recycling everything that can be recycled, and you agree to ongoing monitoring of your bin use. The monitoring will consist of crews or Council staff recording which recycling bins are placed out for collection. This may involve crews sometimes looking at the contents of your bins before or on collection, or during the review and approval period.
The decision may be reversed if you are not complying with your recycling responsibilities, and your larger wheelie bins removed. This decision will be reviewed every 2 years.
I live in a house converted into flats, we recycle a lot and we do not need a 180l black bin per household. Can we have one removed?
Yes, as long as all neighbours agree, households will be able to contact us to remove a wheelie bin.
I live in a flat and we get a communal collection. Will that change?
Flats that have communal bins will continue to receive a weekly communal collection.
Are the bins lockable?
No, the bins do not have a pre drilled hole for a lock, however if you want to lock your bin during the week you can, but on collection day the bins must be unlocked ready to be emptied.
Can I use my remaining pink sacks for black sack/black bin waste?
No, please do not use your remaining pink sacks for black sack/general waste purposes. You should continue to use black sacks only for this purpose.
Why do I see the bin operatives putting pink sacks in with black sacks?
The bin operatives assess each sack before loading them into the lorries before deciding where it should go. They may put a pink sack in with black sacks. This could be for two reasons:
- The pink sack contains recycling that is contaminated such as dirty recycling or general waste included within the recycling.
- The pink sack is general waste, for example contains no recycling.
Because of this, the pink sack must be disposed of with general waste. It is important to make sure recycling is clean and not contaminated.
Aren't wheelie bins a fire hazard?
Wheelie bin fires can be caused by accident or by arson but are almost always preventable. Taking some simple steps will reduce this risk and protect your bins and your property:
- do not put vapes in your wheelie bins, they contain batteries. Many shops that sell vapes, accept returned used items, as do large electrical stores and they can now be recycled at your local household waste recycling centre
- never place hot items in the bin, for example: smoking materials, hot embers from coal/wood fires, barbecues or hot ash. Once fully cooled they can be included.
- always take unwanted electrical items, household batteries or lithium-ion batteries to your local household waste recycling centre
- do not overfill your wheelie bins, make sure the lid will close, and do not leave loose rubbish around them
- whenever possible wheelie bins should be stored securely, out of sight
- do not store wheelie bins under stair wells, corridors, or escape routes and fire exits. Wheelie bins should not be stored under covered areas attached to your house, such as a porch
- whenever possible store your wheelie bins at least one metre away from your property and not immediately against windows or doors and, if possible, safely secured
- if you are concerned about anti-social behaviour, consider locking or securing your wheelie bins between collections, but always make sure they are unlocked on your scheduled collection day
- only put your wheelie bins out on your scheduled collection day and return them to your property or their usual storage position, as soon as possible after collection
- make your wheelie bins available early in the morning on your scheduled collection day rather than late at night the day before
- help your neighbour - bring their bins in for them if needed
- mark your property number on your bins, to help their return.
- for cardboard 'make it thin to fit the bin'. Always try to flatten-out boxes so they have less surface area and can be stored in your wheelie bin. For excess cardboard place the flattened boxes to make a stack of cardboard, then tape or tie the stack together. This can be left out by your bin on your scheduled collection day
Any other questions
If you have any other questions that have not been answered on this page please email NewWasteService@southend.gov.uk.