Better Recycling in 2026

Recycling more, reducing waste

A brand-new waste collection service begins in June across Suffolk. Ahead of this, East Suffolk Council will supply all households with an additional wheelie bin or other container to collect paper and card separately from plastics, metal, cartons (including Tetra Pak) and glass bottles or jars. Food waste collection caddies will also be provided.

National targets require us to divert 60% of waste to recycling by 2030 and 65% by 2035. The current co-mingled method of collecting recycling in one bin means that a large amount of the paper and card we collect is contaminated by the other items. The ‘twin stream’ method, with an additional recycling bin, will transform the quality of materials for re-use, with huge environmental benefits.

Why three-weekly waste collections?

The new service means that much less residual waste will need to be collected, allowing the Council to adopt a three-weekly waste collection service without a reduction in the overall, combined capacity of household bins.

Suffolk has the potential to divert over 58% of waste from rubbish bins to other recycling and organic waste collections. On this basis, and to encourage improved recycling habits, a twin stream recycling plus food waste collection service, will greatly increase recycling rates and reduce the waste which is unnecessarily disposed of. 

Three-weekly waste collections will also save an extra 6,500 tonnes of carbon emissions a year compared to two-weekly waste collections.

All you need to know and all your questions answered about the new service

Household information leaflets

A range of additional information including how to report missed bins and ordering replacements