Blue-lidded recycling bins coming soon
Increased recycling rates and reduced cost of waste disposal are the benefits of the district-wide introduction of blue-lidded bins for recycling this summer.
Making recycling even easier
The new blue-lidded recycling bin replaces both the clear recycling sacks and blue box currently used for recycling items including paper, plastic containers, tins and cans, and glass bottles and jars, making recycling even easier.
The rollout of the new bin begins in June. Residents can start using the new bin as soon as they receive it. It will be delivered in stages during June and July to limit disruption to collections. Blocks of flats will not get the new bins as they use communal bins for their recycling.
All eligible households will get a 240-litre bin which is bigger than the black-lidded household waste bins. A new bin will not be delivered to those who participated in the trial. Those residents can continue to use their blue-lidded recycling bin as usual.
All your recycling in one bin
There will be no changes to residents’ collection days. Recycling should be put out before 6.30am on your usual collection day,
Items that can be recycled in the blue-lidded bin:
- Glass bottles and jars – lids can be kept on
- Food tins and drink cans
- Clean paper, card and shredded paper
- Plastic household bottles, food trays, containers and tubs
- Aluminium foil and foil containers
- Aerosol cans
- Tetra Paks and other food cartons
Residents can keep their old blue box to use as storage. Or if they do not want to keep it, either put it out with their black bin collection or take it to a local recycling centre.
A more cost effective and efficient service
We have been trialling blue-lidded recycling bins with resident volunteers over the past year or so. It has been so well received. I am very pleased it is now being rolled out across the rest of the district. Changing the way our recycling is collected will help make the service more cost effective and efficient.
We have been working closely with Terra Verde Services (TVS) to work out the logistics of delivering the new bins while minimising disruption to our refuse collections. TVS has done a wonderful job since taking over the waste collection for the district in November 2024. We want to ensure that this transition goes as smoothly as possible so that that excellent service continues.
The new bins will help save space
I know some residents have concerns about not having enough room for another wheelie bin and that their recycling will be too much for one bin.
I understand and want to reassure you. These new wheelie bins will help save space as there will no longer be the need to store lots of recycling bags, full of waste, before collection day. The new bins are bigger than our black refuse bins so can fit more in, and more space can be created by flattening any plastic bottles or containers and breaking down cardboard boxes.
The introduction of the new wheelie bins brings positive environmental and financial long-term impacts for the council and our residents. These bins simplify household recycling, motivating us to recycle more. They will also reduce landfill costs and save money by eliminating the need to purchase millions of clear sacks every year.
Thank you
I also want to thank all our residents who took part in the trial for our new recycling bins. Your feedback has been invaluable throughout the trial and helped shape the district-wide rollout.
Councillor Ray Balcombe, Portfolio Holder for Contracts Delivery
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