Braintree District Council agrees on the future of waste and recycling collections to boost recycling.
Braintree District Council’s Cabinet has tonight (Tuesday 27 May 2025) agreed changes to the future of its waste and recycling collection services for households. The new enhanced service which will be introduced from 1 June 2026 will enable residents to recycle more at kerbside.
The changes ensure the council can meet the new government legislation and Simpler Recycling policy, as well as improving recycling rates, cost effectiveness and allow for future proofing to meet the needs of the wider policy changes in waste to what may be presented for collection in the years to come.
As from 1st June 2026 kerbside waste and recycling collections will include:
- A weekly food waste collection
- An alternate fortnightly collection of paper and card
- An alternate fortnightly collection of glass bottles and jars, metals, plastics including bags and film and food and drink cartons
- A fortnightly paid for collection of garden waste
- A three-weekly collection of general waste
- Clear sacks that are currently used for mixed recycling will be replaced with wheeled bins, in most circumstances.
The Council’s decision has considered a range of evidence and research including benchmarking, a waste composition analysis of the type of waste collected within the district, the council’s adoption of the Waste Strategy for Essex and the impact on the operational services and residents. Various collection methods were also evaluated based on factors like alignment with legislation, environmental impact, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
A key component in the decision-making process was the feedback from over 7,800 residents who engaged in the council’s public consultation earlier this year asking for their views on the service changes.
The feedback showed a strong agreement on the importance of achieving recycling targets and how to achieve them, including:
- 83% agreed achieving a 65% recycling target by 2035 is important
- 66% agreed recycling is best achieved by reducing general rubbish and improving collections of recyclable material
- 68% agreed the current recycling offer does not fit their needs.
The new collection approach will significantly support improving the district’s recycling rate. Based on the recent waste composition analysis, it is estimated that nearly 40% of the waste contained within the grey bin could have been recycled by using the current kerbside recycling options available, and only 1/3 of food waste is being correctly disposed of in the food caddies. This is particularly important for food waste, given its cost, both financially and environmentally, if not correctly disposed of.
Assisted collections will continue to support those with physical disabilities and mobility issues. The decision also approved adoption of a new Household Waste and Recycling Collection policy that provides for additional services to those with specific needs on a case-by-case basis, such as those with larger families, with medical needs or without available space for new bins. There is also provision for those who need collections of absorbent hygiene products, such as nappies.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Transformation, the Environment and Customer Services and Deputy Leader at Braintree District Council, said: “We want to thank every resident who engaged with us and fed back on the future of the waste and recycling collections in the district which has been a fundamental part of our decision-making process. We know change on this scale will be a challenge, but we also know that most of us would like to see as much recycled as possible. This improved service, including the additional glass, plastic film and cartons collection at kerbside, gives us the opportunity to reduce our waste, improve recycling habits and play a bigger part in supporting the Essex Waste Partnership’s Essex Waste Strategy which aims to ensure cost-efficient and sustainable waste management across the county, whilst complying with the new government legislation.
“Over the coming year, we’ll ensure effective communication to our residents and businesses so you know exactly how the changes will affect you and to minimise disruption.”
Residents will be sent information in the post before the 2026 service rollout about changes to collections and are also encouraged to subscribe to the Council’s e-newsletters and text message service to be kept updated.