Recycling and waste collections will be changing from October 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.
What will happen?
Food waste will continue to be collected weekly. How and when recycling is collected will be confirmed by the council and its new contractor in due course. The few things left over which cannot be recycled and currently go in a black bag will be collected alternate weekly.
Most homes will also switch from plastic sacks to wheeled bins for both recycling and waste that cannot be recycled.
Why will this be happening?
Keeping things as they are now will not help us to increase recycling rates. In 2023/24 we recycled 43.5 percent of our waste but this is reducing. Local authorities must achieve a recycling rate of 65 percent by 2035. It would also cost the council an extra £10m over the next 8 years, on top of the increased cost of a new waste contract.
With an estimated budget gap of £32.9m over the next four years we cannot afford this.
Wheeled bins can also help to encourage recycling and therefore increase recycling levels. They are also better for the environment as they prevent scavenging by animals which helps to keep the streets clean.
The council expects that the amount recycled locally will increase with the changes.
Who will get wheeled bins and how many?
Most homes will get up to three wheeled bins. Residents will get a letter confirming which type of collection they will receive before the start of the newly improved service. Should a resident have any concerns about the type of collection they will receive or want to request a review of the decision, they can submit a request online through the wheeled bin or sack service review form. The new bins are:
- Black lidded bin - residual waste (non-recyclable waste).
- Pink lidded bin - recyclables.
- Blue lidded bin - paper and card.
The council's cabinet approved draft criteria to assess where wheeled bins would be appropriate or not on 30 January 2024. You can read this on our democracy website.
How often will bins be collected?
Collections will alternate weekly, for example:
- blue lidded recycling bin for paper and card one week, with black bin for waste that cannot be recycled
- pink lidded recycling bin for plastic, glass and cans the next week
or
- blue lidded recycling bin for recycling paper and card one week
- pink lidded recycling bin for plastic, glass and cans, with black bin for waste that cannot be recycled the next week
Collection days may be subject to some change. We will write to all households in advance of any changes.
What about food waste?
Food waste collection will remain weekly, and residents will keep their current caddy.
How big are the bins?
The standard bin size is 180 litres, which fits at least:
- three large bin bags or
- four standard bin bags
Additionally, larger 240-litre bins can be requested for larger households (six or more residents) or those with medical and hygiene waste.
I live in a flat and we get a communal collection. Will that change?
Flats that have communal bins will continue to get their current service.
Southend-on-Sea has houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). Has that been considered?
Yes. HMOs will be identified before the assessment process takes place. This will make sure that their circumstances are specifically considered.
I receive an assisted collection. Will that continue?
Yes.
What is happening with garden waste collections?
There are no changes. These will continue on a weekly basis for residents who subscribe to the service - Garden waste
I am subscribed to the garden waste service. Will that option continue?
Yes. The garden waste scheme will remain an optional buy-into service.
When you renew your annual subscription, your garden waste collection service will continue for another year. For example, if you renewed in November 2024, your subscription will run until November 2025.
Please note that the garden waste bin belongs to you, and if you renew your subscription for another year, you will continue to use this same bin.
How do I arrange bulky waste collection?
You can book and pay for your bulky waste collection through our bulky waste collection page. Alternatively, bulky items may be taken to Leigh Marshes or Stock Road HWRC.
When will this happen?
Delivery of wheelie bins to households will begin in August. The bins should not be used for putting out recycling or waste for collection until the new service commences from 28 October 2025. There will no changes to collections up until that date.