Our plan to be recycling leaders in Mid Suffolk

Debunking the fake news about your bins

We are fed up with the rubbish being said by other parties about the changes to our waste colections. So here are the facts.

In 2023, new laws were brought in which mean we’ll have a new bin system in 2026.

These are Government rules set by Conservatives, now enforced by Labour.

Graphic criticising waste system policy continuity between UK political parties. The top text reads: "Government rules set by the Conservatives, now enforced by Labour." Below is a screenshot of a GOV.UK press release titled "Simpler recycling collections and tougher regulation to reform waste system", detailing reforms to bin collections and waste carriers. A highlighted box states: "This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government." Curved arrows point from the top text to the press release, emphasising the link between the Conservative-originated rules and current enforcement.

There will be changes to bins and schedules which will take a while to get used to. But there are positives:

  • Overall collections and recycling will dramatically increase
  • NEW: weekly food waste collections
  • NEW: soft plastic packaging to be collected from homes
  • Support for households with medical needs or children in nappies
Mother is teaching kid how to recycle help the boy aware environmental importance - mom educates son sort garbage into different bins on kitchen. Family sorting garbage at home. Concept of recycling

The steps for recycling excellence

We plan to run a trial from the middle to 2026 working with residents to make sure it is successful. We will modify our approach if required. Our aim is to be one of the best areas for recycling. By piloting a three-weekly residual waste collection from Spring 2026, we’re joining over 25 Councils in the UK who already successfully operate this model. #SimplerRecycling #ReuseRecycleReduce

Step 1

Separate food waste

  • Each household will be supplied with:
    • A 20-litre sealable food waste caddy for external use.
    • A 5-litre caddy for use in the kitchen.
  • The 20-litre caddy will be collected weekly from your doorstep.
  • This system eliminates the need to dispose of food waste in your general rubbish bin.
  • The food waste will be taken to a centre in Suffolk where it will be converted into fuel and fertiliser.
  • A trial is planned from mid-2026, and the approach will be adapted based on feedback to ensure success.

Step 2

Separate paper and card

  • A separate bin will be provided specifically for paper and cardboard.
  • Benefits include:
    • Prevents contamination of paper materials.
    • Improves the quality and recyclability of the paper.
    • Increases capacity in the main recycling bin for other materials.

Step 3

Increase items that can be put in your recycle bin

  • The following additional items will be accepted in the recycling bin:
    • Glass
    • Tetrapaks
    • Soft plastics
  • Expanded recycling initiatives:
    • Increased textile recycling centres
    • New small electrical recycling banks
    • Clinical waste collection (fortnightly)
    • Garden waste collection (fortnightly)

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