Southend’s new citywide waste collection service is now in full swing, and it’s already making a big difference.
To see how it works, Cllr Lydia Hyde, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Waste, joined crews on their rounds and visited the SUEZ depot in Eastern Avenue, where the operation is coordinated.
The new service uses 35 vehicles, including six narrow trucks for tighter streets, all fitted with 360-degree cameras for safety. Each standard truck is designed to keep waste streams separate, with dedicated chutes for food waste and recycling. Crews start collections at 7am and work until 6pm, so residents are reminded to put bins out before 7am, or ideally the night before if this is practical.
Southend’s new waste contractor has already helped boost recycling rates, according to the latest figures. While the council is still short of its 50% recycling target, a quarter one performance report for 2025/26 shows that 46.01% of waste was sent for reuse, recycling, and composting. This marks a significant increase from 34.4% in quarter four of 2024/25, the final reporting period under the city’s previous collection partner, Veolia.
Cllr Lydia Hyde welcomed the progress: “We are encouraged to see recycling rates improve and we’ll keep working closely with our partners until this goes above our target.
“We’re confident that the new system, along with clearer communications and helpful tools like the searchable recycling feature in the Southend Waste app, will help boost recycling rates even further.
“We remain committed to reaching our 50 per cent target and making it easier for residents to recycle more.”
What goes where?
- Blue bin - Paper and cardboard
- Pink bin - Plastic bottles, tubs, trays, cans, tins and cartons
- Food caddy - All food waste, collected weekly
- Black bin - General non-recyclable waste only
Residents can check their collection days and get reminders using the Southend Waste App, which provides real-time updates.
SUEZ, which took over the city's waste contract in April, has pledged to improve recycling rates significantly, drawing on its success in other areas like Milton Keynes.
The new service is a key part of Southend's commitment to creating a cleaner, greener city.