Recycling and Waste Strategy 2025 to 2040 Implementation

Most asked

Q: What bins will I be getting?

A: Residents who put their bags out at the kerbside for collection will receive:

• One 180 litre black wheeled bin for non-recyclable waste (replacing black bags where appropriate)
• One 240 litre green wheeled bin for recycling plastics, metals, paper and card (putting recycling in the bin loose means you will get more in)
• Glass recycling stays in a separate box
• Food recycling stays in a separate caddy
• If cardboard will not fit in the recycling bin, you can flatten it and place it next to the bin for collection. All other materials must go into the bin loose
• Use your existing bins and bags on your collection day until your new bins arrive

Some residents are already using wheeled bins for their non-recyclable waste these residents will get a new wheeled bin for recycling only.

Some residents will be in properties that aren’t suitable for wheeled bins we are assessing every property in Colchester to ensure properties are given the correct bins, in line with the council’s approved policy. Residents in properties that aren’t suitable for wheeled bins will continue using bags for their recycling and non-recycling.

Q: Will my collection day change?

A: From 1st June 2026 every kerbside property may be collected on different days to current collections. Even where the collection day does not change there will be changes to which materials are collected. It is important that all residents check their new calendars when they are available in late May 2026.

We are making these changes to:

• Deliver collection routes that better serve a growing city
• Deliver a more efficient, reliable and cost-effective service
• Make routes that are suited to new wheeled bin collections

Q: What will the new Kerbside Collection schedule be:

The New Collection Calendar will be made available to residents in late May 2026.

• Food Waste will continue to be collected weekly
• Non-Recyclable Waste (black sacks and wheeled bins) will be collected fortnightly
• All Paper & Card, Plastics, Tins & Cans (mixed recycling) and separate glass in a box will be collected fortnightly on the same day
• If the resident has a Garden Waste subscription this will be collected fortnightly on the same day as Mixed Recycling & Glass.

The new collection cycle will be:

Week 1:

• Food in a kerbside caddy
• Non-Recyclable Waste in a wheeled bin or up to 3 * 60 litre resident supplied black bags

Week 2:

• Food in a kerbside caddy
• Mixed Dry Recycling in a wheeled bin or in clear recycling bags
• Glass in a separate box
• Garden Waste in a wheeled bin (if resident has a subscription)

Residents should check for changes to their collection calendar in late May. Your recycling calendar.

Q: Will I be able to check what my future service will be?

A: Yes, we have created a service checker that lets you see what your future service will look like. All you have to do is enter your postcode and it will tell you one of the following:

• Your property hasn’t been assessed yet
• Your property is on the standard new service
• Your property is non-standard. This means your property may not be suitable for wheeled bins
• Your property is part of our flats collection service

If your property hasn’t been assessed, it means we haven’t got to your property yet, but we will soon.

Residents can call us on 01206 282700 if they need one-to-one support to access the service checker. We do ask that those who can use the service checker online to continue doing so.

Check my service

Q: What if Colchester City Council Collection Policy means my property is unsuited for Wheeled bins?

If your property is non-standard:

• You will continue to use your own black sacks for non-recyclable waste with an unchanged 3 bags per fortnight allowance
• For Mixed Recycling you will mix paper & card, plastics and tins & cans in clear bags, keeping your glass separate in a rigid (non-cardboard) box.

Q: Why is this change happening?

The Recycling and Waste Strategy for Colchester outlines the plans for the next 15 years (2025 to 2040) and sets out Colchester’s vision and key principles for managing recycling and rubbish.

It is a plan to change the way we collect recycling and rubbish by helping residents to reduce waste, improve recycling, and provide a simple-to-use, financially stable service as we continue to face significant financial pressures.

It aligns with upcoming UK government legislation aimed at environmental impact reduction and easing climate change. All of this, to modernise Colchester’s waste collection service to ensure it is fit for the future of our city.

Q: Do I have to pay for the new bin/s?

A: No, the new wheeled bins for your non-recyclable rubbish (black) and mixed recycling; paper & card, plastics, tins & cans waste (green) will be delivered free of charge to your property. Glass will continue to be collected in boxes.

Q: Will there be future charges like with garden waste?

A: There are no additional charges planned for recycling and waste collection services. The garden waste service is separate and optional for residents and will remain chargeable.

Q: I do not have room for a wheeled bin / do not want one / do not like wheeled bins

Properties with a front garden or rear garden with highway access will receive the new standard wheeled bin service with standard sized bins and should present their recycling and waste in those bins, on their property boundary.

For properties without a front garden or rear garden with highway access, residents can:

• Choose to have wheeled bins by making adaptions (e.g., moving bins through the property). In this case the property will have the standard wheeled bin service.
• Request smaller/multiple bins (e.g., 140L black and green bins) and receive the standard wheeled bin service.

Properties that cannot accommodate wheeled bins will continue to use black sacks for non-recyclable waste and clear sacks for mixed recycling.

Homes with multiple steps and no rear access may choose wheeled bins if residents can safely move them up and down the stairs, presenting the bin at kerbside level for collection or remain on the existing sacks service.

Final decisions are made by council officers based on fixed criteria, in line with our waste collection policy, with no appeal process.

The council, under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, has the authority to specify the type of bins used for waste collection.

Q: What help is available for those who cannot move a wheeled bin?

A: We understand that not everyone will be able to manage a wheeled bin and, if necessary, we will offer an Assisted Collection service, whereby the bin is collected and returned to a nominated point nearer to your house. If all residents of the property meet the assisted collection criteria, with no one else able to help with putting the materials out on the boundary for collection residents can apply for an assisted collection.

Q: Will wheeled bins create more vermin?

No, the opposite. Wheeled bins will help reduce the amount of litter caused by bags ripping due to weather or animals and will make the areas tidier. If you are correctly recycling everything you can, including your food waste, this will help reduce odour and deter maggots. You can check what you can put out, here: Check what you can put out

Q: When will these changes happen?

A: The early roll out will be in Summer 2026, and main roll out will follow on from September 2026. We will provide you with information nearer the time of the expected roll out in your area and information will be regularly published on our website.

Q: How will I know if my property will have Standard wheeled bins or Non-Standard sacks?

A: A new online facility will be available to residents ahead of calendar changes. This will tell residents whether their property has been assessed and if assessed whether it will receive Standard or Non-Standard Service. There will also be information for residents living in flats.

Q: What does it mean when you say you’re assessing my property?

A: We have council officers that are visiting every property in Colchester to assess whether the property is suitable for wheeled bins or not. Residents do not need to be home, our officers will assess the property from the pavement, determining whether there is space for a wheeled bin or access to the garden/rear of the property from the kerbside, or other access issues like multiple steps.

Q: There has been news that lots of councils are under budget pressures – how is this being managed with this recycling and waste rollout?

A: Over the last decade we have seen substantial cuts to Local Government funding, which have led to significant financial challenges for the sector. We need to be mindful of all spend and manage, as best as possible, within existing budget envelopes and mitigate potential overspends. This challenge will be just as prominent in 2026/27 financial year particularly with the advent of Local Government Reform over the next two years.

Most of our large vehicle fleet is scheduled for planned renewal during the rollout of the new service, and these costs have been fully accounted for. The introduction of wheeled bins will replace single-use plastic recycling bags and reduce the number of boxes required per household. Residents currently using clear recycling bags will also move to wheeled bins, meaning they will no longer need to use clear recycling bags.

Wheeled bins have a planned lifespan of more than 10 years, offering a far more environmentally sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.

Wheeled bins

Q: What materials go in which bin?

A: Mixed recycling; Paper & Card, Plastics and Tins & Cans, should be placed loose in the green bin. Material should be rinsed to remove food residue to keep bins cleaner. As long as residents put the right materials in the right bin, contamination is not expected to be an issue, and recycling will become simpler for residents.

Non-recyclable waste should be placed in the black bin. We recommend you keep your waste in bags to keep your wheeled bin clean.

Glass must be kept separate, rinsed to remove food residue, and placed in a green box or similar rigid not cardboard container for collection.

Food will continue to go into the food caddy for collection. We recommend using food recycling bags before putting them into your caddy to keep your bin cleaner.

Q: What size are the wheeled bins?

A: For non-recyclable waste the standard black bin will be 180-litre (this is 3 black sacks). The standard green recycling bin will be 240 litres.

Q: I’m concerned my non-recyclable waste won’t fit in a wheeled bin.

A: All non-recyclable waste must be contained within the black wheeled bin in line with our existing policy where residents have wheeled bins for non-recyclable waste. The 180-litre bin is the same size as three plastic sacks. Residents should recycle as much as possible to reduce non-recyclable waste, including recycling food leftovers.

Q: I’m concerned my recyclable waste won’t fit in a wheeled bin.

Large cardboard boxes that won’t fit in the green wheeled bin can be collapsed/flattened and presented next to the bin for collection. All other recycling must be placed in the wheeled bin for collection.

To maximise capacity of your recycling bin always place items in loose rather than in plastic bags, squashing individual items can save further space.

Q: When will I receive my wheeled bin?

A: We will contact you and publish information on our website when the dates for roll-out are confirmed.

Q: I do not want a wheeled bin, I live in a conservation area

Wheeled bins do not conflict with conservation regulations.

Q: What if I have old bins or containers I no longer need?

A: We suggest reusing old bins for storage, gardening, or other household purposes. This approach supports our commitment to waste reduction. Please keep your spare box that used to be used for Tins & Cans so this can be used for glass when you glass box wears out.

Q: Can I use different bins to those supplied by the council?

A: The council will only empty wheeled bins which have been supplied by Colchester City Council, with the council’s logo showing. This is because the bins supplied conform to British Standards safe handling regulations and are a specific colour to help crews see them.

Q: Can I decorate my bins?

A: All wheeled bins remain the property of the council. However, whilst you are using the bin, we encourage you to write your house number/address on. It’s fine if you want to decorate your bin to make it more personal with paint, stickers, bin wraps but the original colour MUST be visible to assist our crews. We also ask that residents don’t cover the Colchester City Council logo. In the case of garden waste, the permit should be attached under the handle and must be clearly visible to our crews.

Q: Will the wheeled bins keep the streets cleaner?

A: Yes, removal of single use plastic bags will lead to a cleaner environment for everyone to enjoy. It will cut down on animals ripping the bags before they are collected.

Cost

Q: Do I have to pay for the new bin/s?

A: No, the new wheeled bins will be delivered free of charge to your property.

Q: Will there be future charges like with garden waste?

A: There are no additional charges planned for recycling and waste collection services. The garden waste service is separate and optional for residents and will remain chargeable.

Q: Isn’t the bin rollout expensive?

A: Although introducing bins involves an initial cost, the collection improvements—such as collecting recycling and rubbish the same way across the city, collecting all mixed recycling together and separate glass once every two weeks, changing calendars for residents so we are more efficient on our collection routes—are all needed to support a growing Colchester.

The changes will benefit residents by making recycling simpler, as well as keeping streets cleaner and reducing ripped bags and the resulting clean up.

Q: My property has been assessed and I’m staying on bag collections. Will you pay for my black bags if I’m not getting a wheeled bin and most other people are?

A: No, our policy for providing residents with black bags has remained the same, so the council will not supply black bags.

Accessibility

Q: How will you ensure wheeled bins don’t obstruct pavements for wheelchair users or those with pushchairs?

A: The chosen bins have a smaller footprint than multiple sacks which will minimise obstruction and must be kept on the resident's property when not being presented for collection. We encourage prompt removal of the wheeled bin after collection, as well as provide guidance on bin placement to avoid blocking pavements.

Each wheeled bin will only need to be presented 26 times a year. Most residents will present their bins on the boundary of their property which will not cause an obstruction on pavements. In some areas we will look at collection points like rear service lanes or side access to keep streets accessible.

Q: I currently have an assisted collection; will this be affected?

Everyone who is on an assisted collection will remain on an assisted collection, although Standard properties will receive wheeled bins at the agreed collection point.

Q: I currently have an exemption; will this be affected?

We will be reviewing all exemptions to ensure they are still required, and where the property is Standard, we will provide sufficient wheeled bin capacity to collect the number of exemption bags permitted. Where a property is non-standard and still needs an exemption, we will continue to collect the extra bags as today.

Q: My property has been designated as not being suitable for wheeled bins. What are my options?

In line with our new waste policy, properties that cannot accommodate wheeled bins will use resident supplied black sacks for non-recyclable waste and clear sacks for mixed recycling.

Final decisions are made by council officers based on fixed criteria, in line with our waste collection policy, with no appeal process.

Q: How are you making sure residents that don’t use the internet are informed?

A: As part of delivering the new service, we will be sending communications to every kerbside property in Colchester in paper form, including within council tax mailings. This makes sure that residents know what is happening and when, even if they don’t use the internet. Our customer service team is also at hand to support those that need assistance.

Recycling and collections

Q: Can soft plastics be included in kerbside collections?

A: Yes, we now accept flexible plastics and cartons including Tetra Pak, in kerbside plastic recycling. See here what you can put out. Check what you can put out.

Q: Where will mixed recycling be recycled?

A: Mixed recyclables are sent to a materials recovery facility (MRF), where they are sorted and processed into separate materials for recycling.

Q: Can I put my non-recyclable waste in my wheeled bin loose or do I have to use bags?

We do not recommend putting non-recyclable waste in loose as this will make your bin smell and need regular cleaning. Colchester City Council will not be responsible for cleaning the bin. We recommend using smaller bags then you will be able to fit more into your bin.

Q: Can I put my recyclable waste in my wheeled bin loose or do I have to use bags?

The council recommends putting recyclable waste in your bin loose so that you can get more in it and:

• rinsing plastics and tins & cans to remove food waste
• stacking plastic trays
• squashing tins & cans, cartons and plastic bottles
• collapsing cardboard

Taking these steps will allow you to get more in your recyclable bin and prevent contamination.

Q: Will I own the wheeled bin?

All containers for recycling and non-recyclable waste remain the property of Colchester City Council. The householder is responsible for maintaining, cleaning and storing their wheeled bins.

Q: What happens if my wheeled bin is stolen/damaged?

Residents should notify the Council as quickly as possible. You can order more on this page: Recycling and rubbish.

Q: What happens if my wheeled bin blows over and damages property?

Residents are responsible for securely storing their wheeled bin in-between collections and safely presenting their bins on their collection day.

Q: I am subscribed to the garden waste service. Will that option continue?

A: Yes. The garden waste scheme will remain an optional subscription service. See here for more information. Garden Waste Subscription Service.

Communication

Q: How did the results of the consultation influence decisions on waste?

A: The consultation in early summer 2024 played an important role in shaping the final waste and recycling strategy. Residents, businesses, and community members across Colchester were invited to share their views on the draft strategy’s vision and goals, and we received a strong response with valuable insights from a wide range of people.

The feedback showed broad support for the strategy, especially around value for money, safety, environmental impact, and community-focused initiatives. While the overall strategy was supported, the feedback highlighted key areas for improvement, guiding us to refine the Service Delivery Plan and Collection Policy (both of which will be published in due course) to better align with community priorities and concerns.

Q: The consultation information seemed vague and complicated. How will you ensure simple communication?

A: We understand that some of the survey details felt complex, and we’re committed to clearer, simpler communication going forward. To make the new recycling and waste strategy easy to understand, we’re using various methods to reach residents, including straightforward leaflets, bin stickers, and newsletters. We’ll also provide regular updates on our website and through local media, breaking down the information into practical steps and making sure it’s accessible to everyone.