Collections from flats

1. I put my recycling and non-recycling bags in a bin store. How are my collections changing?

Currently residents need to separate recycling of paper and card, plastics, glass and tins & cans into separate bins.

As we roll out Simpler Recycling to flats residents will see new labels on their bins and be able to mix paper & card, plastics and tins & cans in one or several bins marked Dry Mixed Recycling.

We will then collect dry recyclable material in two types of bin containers, which will be labelled as either dry mixed recycling for paper&card, plastics and tins&cans and a separate bin for glass.

Non-recyclable materials will continue to be collected in the same way and we will be introducing separate food collections from all flats.

2. Why are recycling containers being emptied all in the same bin collection lorry?

In the past, one flats lorry collects paper & card and plastic and a second collects glass and tins & cans. Each lorry has two chambers to keep the materials separate.

From November 2025 we will change the collections for flats such that each binstore will be visited by just one lorry which will collect paper & card, plastics and tins & cans one side and separate glass on the other. This change will improve efficiency of collections allowing us to extend the recycling service to those flats with no service currently.

Glass will always be collected separately.

3. My bins are still labelled individually as Paper, Plastics, Glass and Cans, why is this if you are collecting Dry Mixed Recycling?

There will be an interim period where bins remain as they are currently in the bin stores. Over time, we will be re-labelling all bins in bin stores with what residents should put in them. Please follow the guidance on your bins.

4. I don’t have any recycling bins in my bin store, what can I do?

Starting in June 2025 we have been surveying every bin store across Colchester recording what bins residents have for all dry recycling, glass, non recyclables and food waste.

We are then in contact with the Managing Agents and Landlords regarding changes to bin stores bin arrangements where required ensure compliance with Simpler Recycling.

t is the responsibility of Managing Agents to provide appropriate bins in compliance with Simpler Recycling legislation. To help managing agents, we can supply suitable bins at an attractive price to help them ensure their properties are compliant with Simpler Recycling legislation although they are free to buy suitable bins from any source.

5. What is Simpler Recycling?

Simpler Recycling is UK legislation that aims to make recycling easier by standardising what can and cannot be recycled across different areas. It was introduced to end confusion and requires businesses, schools, and public sector organisations with 10 or more employees to separate common waste streams like paper, card, plastic, glass, metal, and food waste for recycling. For households, it standardises the waste streams collected by local authorities.

Simpler Recycling in England: policy update - GOV.UK

6.What is Colchester City Council Dry Mixed Recycling?

Dry mixed recycling (DMR) is a waste collection system that allows various clean, dry, recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, and metal tins & cans, to be put into a single bin. The mixed waste is then separated at a recycling facility, making it easier and more convenient than sorting items at the source.

7. Why do I need to put my glass in a separate bin?

The reason we continue to collect glass separately is because we collect a lot of glass and it is the most valuable material when recycled but only if kept separate. Glass is difficult to separate from other recycling so mixing glass in the same container would increase costs and reduce income for your Council.

8. I put my non-recyclable and recyclable waste in bags at the kerbside for collection. Are my collections changing?

No, there are no changes to your collections and they are already compliant with Simpler Recycling