Recycling and waste collections will be transformed from autumn 2025 as part of a new contract for this service. The service will make it easier for residents to recycle more and reduce the amount of waste thrown away. This will reduce the city’s carbon footprint and be good for the environment.
What will change?
Food waste will continue to be collected weekly. How and when recycling is collected will be confirmed once the preferred bidder is in place at the end of September. The few things left over which can't be recycled and currently go in a black bag will be collected fortnightly.
Most homes will also switch from plastic sacks to wheeled bins for both recycling and waste that cannot be recycled.
Why are we making this change?
Keeping things as they are now will not help us to increase recycling rates. In 2023/24 we recycled 43.5% of our waste but local authorities must achieve a recycling rate of 65% by 2035. It will also cost the council an extra £10m to stay as we are over the next 8 years.
With an estimated budget gap of £32.9m over the next four years we cannot afford this.
Wheeled bins also help to encourage recycling and therefore increase recycling levels. They are also better for the environment as they prevent scavenging by animals which helps to keep the streets clean.
The council expects that the amount recycled locally will increase with the changes.
Who will get wheeled bins and how many?
Most homes will get up to three wheeled bins. This is still to be decided with the preferred bidder. However, we recognise this will not be appropriate for everyone.
The council's cabinet approved draft criteria to assess where wheeled bins would be appropriate or not on 30 January 2024. You can read this on our democracy website.
I live in a flat and we get a communal collection. Will that change?
Flats that have communal bins will get their current service. This is usually weekly but can be dependent on the demand.
Southend-on-Sea has houses of multiple occupation (HMO). Has that been considered?
Yes. HMOs will be identified before the assessment process takes place. This will ensure that their circumstances are specifically considered.
I receive an assisted collection. Will that continue?
Yes.
When will these changes happen?
The new contract will be in place from 5 April 2025. The successful contractor will need time to bring in a new service. The council is not expecting major changes to take place until 31 October 2025.