Bin collections may be 'unpopular' says West Suffolk Council

West Suffolk Council is reviewing its waste and recycling services as, under the Environment Act 2021, all authorities must meet the government's Simpler Recycling requirements by March 31, 2026. 

In West Suffolk the proposal includes plans to increase the existing "dry" recycling collection service from April 2026 to include glass and cartons, as well as the launch of a new weekly food waste collection. 

At present no decision has been made on the frequency or changes to the collection of general household waste that cannot be recycled. 

A report set to go before the council's cabinet on Tuesday states change can be a "challenge" but the current arrangement is no longer an option, due to the new legislation.

The report reads: "Whilst any change can be considered challenging and may be unpopular with some residents, the status quo is not an option, and the Environment Act (2021) requires Local Authorities to enact changes to services." 

Under the proposals, homes in West Suffolk will be given an extra recycling bin and food waste caddy while weekly recycling and food waste collections are introduced. 

The council has said it will work with households who will have difficulty with an extra bin to establish a workable solution. 

Dave Taylor, cabinet member for operations, said: “The options that we and other councils are looking at will bring a real recycling revolution to Suffolk.

Dave Taylor, of West Suffolk Council (Image: West Suffolk Council)

"Government legislation through the Environment Act 2021 requires all local authorities to meet new recycling requirements by 2026. While this represents a challenge to local authorities and to households, it also provides an incredible, once in a generation opportunity to take a big leap forward.

“By introducing a twin stream recycling waste collection service like many other councils have across the country, communities can increase recycling rates and reduce the waste which is unnecessarily disposed.

"This meets the ambitions of our communities, the government’s requirements and more importantly the authority’s strategic priority of a resilient environment."

Babergh and Mid Suffolk cabinets met last week to discuss their planned bin collection changes, which include proposals to collect residents' rubbish every three weeks instead of the current two. 

East Suffolk cabinet voted unanimously in favour of changes, including an extra recycling bin for the 117,000 homes in the district and rubbish bins being cleared every three weeks instead of the current two, on September 3.