From June 2026, there will be some changes to recycling and waste collections.
This information currently applies to Suffolk only. We’ll share updates for other counties as soon as we have them.
Please note that we are not responsible for collecting your waste or recycling. If you have questions about bins, collection days, or missed collections, you’ll need to contact your local council directly.
As part of new Government rules being introduced across the country, you’ll receive an extra bin to use alongside your existing ones. If you don’t have much space, you may receive a smaller box or sacks instead.
You’ll also be given:
- A small food caddy to use inside your home
- A larger food caddy to keep outside
If your new bin or caddies arrive before June 2026, please don’t use them yet. Collections will start from 1 June 2026.
In May, your local council will send you a full information pack plus a collection calendar to explain exactly how everything will work.
What you can put in each bin from June 2026
Blue-lidded recycling bin
- Glass bottles and jars
- Drinks cartons (Tetra Pak)
- Bubble wrap
- Carrier bags
- Plastic wrappings (e.g. plastic around multipacks and tops of fruit punnets/meat trays)
- Empty food bags (e.g ceral, pasta, mixed salad, frozen chips and frozen peas)
- Plastic pots, tubs and food trays
- Plastic bottles
- Tin foil and foil food trays
- Metal cans and empty aerosols
Food waste cady
- Leftovers
- Fruit/veg peelings and cores
- Eggs shells and salad
- Coffee grinds and tea bags
- Meat and fish (including bones); cooked and uncooked
- Out of date/mouldy food
General rubbish bin
You should use your rubbish bin for anything that doesn’t go in your recycling bins or food waste caddy. Click here to find out what should not go in your rubbish bin.
Using your new food caddies
You should receive your two food waste caddies between February and May. The smaller caddy is to store your food waste inside the home. The food waste can then be transferred to the larger caddy, kept outside and used for collection when the new service starts in June 2026.
How will it work?
Step 1 – line your caddy
Whilst you don’t have to line the caddy, doing so will keep the caddy cleaner and will be easier to transfer the food waste to the larger caddy. One free roll of compostable liners is provided with the caddy and replacements can be purchased from supermarkets.
Step 2 – In your home
Place your food waste into the small caddy inside your home.
Step 3 – Using the larger caddy
Tie a knot in the bag and transfer to the larger caddy outside. Don’t let the caddy get too full!
Step 4 – Securing your caddy
On the larger caddy, pull the handle forward until you hear a click to keep the lid securely shut.
What will happen to my food waste?
Each year in Suffolk, we throw over 50,000 tonnes of food into our rubbish bins! This is not only the leftovers on our plates, but lots of other things such as veg peeling, fruit cores, meat and dairy products, tea bags and food that has gone out of date.
Did you know the average family of four could save around £1000 a year if they used up all the food they buy? We know it’s very difficult to stop all waste, so that’s why we are introducing a new food waste collection.
This food recycling will be collected by your Council’s recycling and waste crews and delivered to a facility in Suffolk where two products are made:
- Biogas is used as a renewable energy source to generate heat, electricity, and fuel by capturing and burning methane produced from organic waste, reducing our need for fossil fuels.
- Biofertiliser is a nutrient rich fertiliser which will be spread on farmers’ fields across East Anglia.
The food waste recycling service is one of several changes being made to recycling and waste services across Suffolk in 2026, designed to make it easier for everyone to recycle more.
You can find out more on the Suffolk Recycling webpage.
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