West Suffolk bin changes to be decided at council meeting

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.

At a meeting last month West Suffolk Council's cabinet backed 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.

Now the decision to increase the number of items that can be recycled while retaining collection of household waste every two weeks will be discussed at the council meeting on Tuesday, October 15. 

Cllr Dave Taylor, cabinet member for operations, said: “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.

"But people now need to do their bit and make sure everything that can goes in the recycling bins. We have looked at a range of options but it is clear using additional bins as part of twin stream recycling has clear benefits."

If approved by council, this approach will mean an extra recycling bin and food waste caddy. It will also introduce weekly recycling and food waste collections and result in less rubbish in household bins. Household waste bins will continue to be collected fortnightly.

It is envisioned where some households may have difficulty with extra bins, the Council will work with them to establish workable solutions.