The Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms require councils across England to collect recyclable materials in a more consistent way. As part of these changes, designed to simplify recycling services and improve the quality of recyclable materials collected, we'll be introducing wheeled bins for kerbside recycling next year.
The decision to move to wheeled recycling bins was approved by a Full Council on 17 September 2026.
Prior to the decision, we conducted an online survey between 23 March and 1 May 2026, alongside a series of in-person drop-in sessions, to gather feedback on the proposed move to two wheeled bins for recycling. We received around 13,000 survey responses - thank you to all residents who took time to share their views, which helped to shape the decision.
By introducing wheeled recycling bins, we aim to:
- increase recycling capacity for many households
- help keep recyclable materials dry and contained
- reduce the risk of litter caused by materials being blown from boxes
- improve the efficiency of collections
- improve health and safety, by reducing the amount of lifting and manual handling required for residents and collection crews
Get more information on:
- who will receive new recycling bins
- upcoming changes to your recycling service
- request larger recycling bins
Who will receive new recycling bins
We will be contacting all households eligible to receive wheelie bins for kerbside recycling, to provide further information, including delivery dates and details of any changes that may affect them.
Changes will not affect:
- properties that recently received bins through the Bags to Bins scheme in 2025 and 2026
- households that have their recycling collected by St Nick's
- properties that use black sacks for household waste collections
- flats and apartments using communal bins
If your home is not included in the first phase, we'll contact you directly if any future changes affect your recycling service.
Upcoming changes to your recycling service
The new recycling bins are planned for households that currently receive household waste collections using black wheelie bins, and a kerbside recycling collection (excluding recycling collected by St Nick's).
Most households will receive 2 new 180 litre black wheeled bins:
- blue lid, 180 litre wheeled bin - for paper and cardboard
- red lid, 180 litre wheeled bin - for plastics, cans, glass and cartons
The standard 180 litre bins are expected to provide sufficient recycling capacity for most households.
Some households may need additional capacity and may be eligible for larger 240 litre recycling bins. This may include larger families or households that regularly produce more recycling than average. Find out how to request larger recycling bins.
Switching to wheeled recycling bins will increase the amount of recycling capacity available to most households, by 30 litres (based on 2 x 180-litre bins) or by 150 litres (based on 2 x 240-litre bins) every 4 weeks.
The additional capacity will allow us to collect each recycling bin every 4 weeks, while household waste collections, and garden waste collections (for subscribed households), will continue to be collected every 2 weeks.
A typical collection cycle could be:
- week 1 - household waste
- week 2 - paper and cardboard recycling
- week 3 - household waste
- week 4 - plastics, cans, glass and carton recycling
Our Waste Collection Calendar will list your collection dates.
How to request a bigger bin
To help us plan the new service, we are asking households who believe they may need larger 240 litre recycling bins, to make a request by 30 October 2026.
For help completing the request form contact Customer Services, telephone: 01904 551 551.