Plans to spark a recycling revolution in West Suffolk

10 Sep 2024

Proposals to significantly improve recycling in West Suffolk, including increasing the range and volume of products that can saved from household rubbish are due to be discussed.

Working together in response to Government legislation, Suffolk’s district and borough authorities - Babergh, East Suffolk, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk and West Suffolk Councils - are all reviewing their waste and recycling services to meet new nationwide ‘Simpler Recycling’ requirements by 31 March 2026. 

On 17 September West Suffolk’s Cabinet will discuss 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. This will be in addition to a brand-new weekly food waste collection, which is to be introduced across the county in the Spring of 2026.

Cllr Dave Taylor, Cabinet Member for Operations, said: “The options that we and other councils are looking at will bring a real recycling revolution to Suffolk. Government legislation through the Environment Act 2021 requires all local authorities to meet new recycling requirements by 2026. While this represents a challenge to local authorities and to households, it also provides an incredible, once in a generation opportunity to take a big leap forward.

“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. We have looked at a range of options but it is clear using additional bins as part of twin stream recycling has clear benefits. These collections will allow more items to be recycled, reducing contamination and the cost of the recycling compared with co-mingled collections. Evidence also shows that higher quality materials result in higher resale values for those materials and better re-processing for re-use in new products.” 

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. At this stage no decision has been made on the frequency or changes to the collection of general household waste that can’t be recycled as the council awaits more information from Government, including funding.

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

Cabinet will consider the recycling options at their meeting before going to full Council for approval. 

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