This October, most people in Southend-on-Sea are switching to a new recycling and waste collection service using wheelie bins.
The change will save money, boost recycling and make collections cleaner and easier for everyone.
Cllr Lydia Hyde, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Waste, explains how the new system will benefit residents.
Saving money
The new service will save around £10 million over the next eight years. These savings can be used to improve local services and support for residents.
The savings come from:
- Increased income from recyclables: cleaner, well-sorted recycling can be sold and reused.
- Cutting down costly waste disposal: less rubbish in black bins means lower processing costs.
Helping the environment
Wheelie bins make recycling easier and help us put less in our black bins. Other councils have seen recycling rates rise by 20 to 40% after introducing wheelie bins.
Southend currently recycles about 44% of household waste. With this new system, the council aims to reach the national target of 65%.
Here's a fact: recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a lightbulb for four hours.
Making life easier
Wheelie bins are safer and simpler to use than bags. They are easier to move and collections are quicker and less demanding for crews.
Keeping waste sealed in bins also helps:
- stop animals ripping open bags
- reduce smells and pests
- keep streets tidier and more pleasant to walk through.
Every saving counts
By moving to wheelie bins, Southend will recycle more, cut costs, reduce litter and improve local neighbourhoods. We appreciate that this will be a significant change to the way we collect residents' waste at the end of October.
Don't forget the app
That's why you can also download the free Southend Waste app to keep track of your new collection days and set reminders on your phone or tablet. It’s quick and easy to use, with links to online forms for reporting waste related issues, a council news feed and recycling guidance, alongside other features which are designed to help you get the most out of the new service.