Changes to Waste and Recycling Services for East Suffolk

East Suffolk Council has agreed a new approach to recycling collection - and with it, a commitment to improve environmental outcomes for the district.

At a meeting of Full Council on 25th September, members agreed to radically increase the range and volume of products which can be presented for household recycling, in line with the requirements of Government legislation through the Environment Act 2021.

This will see all households supplied with an additional wheelie bin or other container to separate paper and card from plastics, metal, cartons (including Tetra Pak) and glass bottles or jars.

A weekly food waste collection service was agreed earlier this year, and the new rounds will be implemented in 2026.

Additionally, this extra collection service allows the Council to adopt a three-weekly waste collection service, rather than the current fortnightly arrangement, without a reduction in the overall combined capacity of household bins.

Cllr Sally Noble, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We have reached a point where we must now grasp a clear opportunity to reset our approach to waste collection, and with it, greatly improve environmental outcomes for our residents.

“National targets require us to divert 60% of waste to recycling by 2030 and 65% by 2035. However, recycling performance has plateaued in recent years, with East Suffolk currently diverting only 39%. This places us 203rd out of 343 collection authorities in England and Wales.

“The current co-mingled method of collecting recycling in one bin means that a large amount of the paper and card we collect is contaminated by the other items and the ‘twin stream’ method, with an additional recycling bin, will transform the quality of materials for re-use, with huge environmental benefits.

“This also means that much less residual waste will need to be collected. We have the potential to divert over 58% of waste from rubbish bins, and to encourage improved recycling habits, a revised waste collection service presents an incredible and unmissable opportunity to take a big step forward.

“Three-weekly waste collections would save an extra 6,500 tonnes of carbon emissions a year compared to the current two-weekly model and without actually decreasing the overall, combined bin capacity that each household receives.”

Speaking at Full Council, Cllr Noble also remarked on some of the concerns that have been raised following the initial announcement of the proposals.

She said: “We know that some people are worried about the space they need for an additional bin. However, as we do currently, we will always seek to help any residents who have legitimate storage concerns. Additionally, alternative arrangements will be considered for households who may struggle with less frequent waste collections – for example those with medical needs or children in nappies.

“I can assure everyone that this Council will work incredibly to introduce these changes as smoothly and effectively as possible. We will put residents first, and a huge information and engagement campaign will provide the people of East Suffolk with everything they need to know.

“I am delighted that we have made the right decision. The right decision for this Council, for our residents and for the environment.”