Plans to change bin collections in West Suffolk, including an increase in the types of products that can be recycled, have taken a step forward with council backing.

In response to ​​government legislation, Suffolk’s district and borough councils are all reviewing their waste and recycling services to meet new nationwide ‘Simpler Recycling’ requirements by March 31, 2026.

A report before West Suffolk's cabinet on September 17 stated that while changes can be "challenging" and "unpopular", the status quo cannot continue.

During the meeting, the cabinet voted to back plans to increase the existing ‘dry’ recycling collection service from April 2026 by including glass and cartons, with plastic film to be incorporated the following year.

This will be in addition to a brand-new weekly food waste collection, which is to be introduced across the county in the Spring of 2026.

Cllr 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.

"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.

"We have listened to our residents who have asked to be able to recycle more at home. Helping residents recycle, including food waste, and providing them with the facilities to do so is vital to achieve this."

West Suffolk residents would get an extra recycling bin and food waste caddy and, both of which would be collected weekly.

The council said at this stage no decision has been made on the frequency or changes to the collection of general household waste as they await more information from government, including funding.

The council said it will work with households that may have difficulty with extra bins to find a solution.

The cabinet backed plans for twin stream recycling at their meeting and the recommendations will now go to full council in October.