Colchester City Council is continuing preparations to introduce major improvements
to recycling and waste collections from 1 June 2026.
From 18 May, some residents will begin receiving new wheeled bins, and from 25
May new calendars will be available to all residents in Colchester – this will show
new collection days and/or weeks for many, so it’s important residents check their
calendars from 25 May.
Some residents will have a one-time delay in their rubbish, recycling and garden
waste collections in the first week of June as we optimise our new routes and
collections. We’re sending letters to all residents affected – more information further
on in this document.
As these updates reach residents, councillors may receive questions about bin
deliveries, when to start using the new bins, and what the upcoming changes mean.
This toolkit provides the key information and suggested messaging to help you
respond confidently.
Key points to know:
– Bin deliveries for early rollout areas begin from 18 May
– Residents can use their new bins straight away
– Letters are being sent from 22 May to around 10,000 households explaining a
one-time delay in collections in early June
– New collection calendars will be available from 25 May 2026
Bin deliveries: what residents need to know
Some early-rollout households will start receiving wheeled bins from 18 May
onwards, in advance of the new service starting.
Residents may contact you when their bins arrive, especially to ask when they
should begin using them.
Key message:
If you receive new bins, you can start using the bins straight away
What the new bins are for
The new service is designed to make recycling simpler and more consistent across
the country.
Most households moving onto wheeled bins will have:
– One 180L black wheeled bin for nonrecyclable waste
– One 240L black wheeled bin with green lid for recycling: plastics, tins &
cans, paper & card together (to be placed in bin loose, not in a recycling bag)
– Glass stays separate in a box
– Food recycling stays separate in a food caddy
Homes not suitable for wheeled bins, based on approved council criteria, will
continue using bags.