Check your new bin collection calendar from 25 May

What is changing from 1 June 2026

From 1 June, Colchester will begin moving to a new recycling and rubbish collection system, which will be introduced in stages across the city until March 2027.

The key change for residents is that recycling is becoming simpler.

Residents will be able to:

• Put plastics, paper and card, tins and cans together in one place
• Continue to recycle glass separately
• Continue to have food waste collected weekly

Residents can begin mixing their recycling materials from 1 June:

• In a new recycling wheeled bin (if they have received one), or
• In clear recycling bags (before bins arrive/if a house has been assessed as unsuitable for bins)

This means residents no longer need to separate these materials at home.

Collections from June

Under the new service:

• Food waste will continue to be collected weekly
• Recycling and rubbish will be collected on alternating fortnightly weeks
• Garden waste (for subscribers) will be collected on the same week as recycling

Collection days and schedules will differ for many households, which is why checking the new calendar is so important.

One‑off collection changes for some residents

Around 10,000 households will experience a one‑time change to their collections as the new service begins.

From 22 May, affected residents will receive a letter explaining what this means for them.

During the week commencing 1 June, there will be a one‑off change to either rubbish or recycling and garden waste collections.

This is a planned, temporary step to allow routes to be updated and ensure the new service runs efficiently. After this, collections will return to normal.

Residents who are affected will be written to directly and should follow the instructions in their letter and their new collection calendar.

Wheeled bin rollout

Some residents will begin receiving new wheeled bins from mid‑May as part of an early rollout.

• Residents can start using their bins as soon as they arrive
• Other areas will receive bins later as the rollout continues
• Homes not suitable for wheeled bins will continue to use bags

The rollout will take place in stages across Colchester and will be completed by March 2027.