We’re carrying out a review of our waste collection service which will see the biggest changes ever made to our waste collections.
As part of the review, we’re looking at different recycling container options to replace the current boxes and bags.
A survey asking for resident’s views on three container options ran from Monday 19 February until Sunday 14 April 2024. The survey received 19,507* responses and revealed:
61% of people would prefer two wheelie bins- 23% of people would prefer the Quatro bin
- 16% of people would prefer two stackable trolleys.
Our recycling and waste collection staff have also provided their views, with 98% of them preferring two wheelie bins.
You can view the online survey results summary below.
Recycling container survey (PDF Document, 0.23 Mb)
*15 responses were also received by letter and have been included in the headline results.
Since the resident survey, the option of one bin for all recycling has been added as an option, following a proposal from the previous government that this would be an acceptable option for recycling collections under the 'Simpler Recycling' plans.
What’s next?
We're currently waiting for an update from the new government on draft recycling and waste collection legislation. The legislation will provide much needed guidance on which recycling collection systems will be acceptable.
Once the government have provided clarity on the upcoming legislation, one of the four options will be taken through the Scrutiny and Cabinet process for a decision to be made.
After a decision is made, we will draft a plan confirming the timescales for introducing new recycling containers to the 50,000 households in our district. The plan will need to consider existing disposal contracts with Leicestershire County Council and future Government requirements to collect food waste, cartons and plastic bags/wrapping from the kerbside.
We understand many residents are ready for a new collection system, but it will take a number of years to put a new system in place.
What were the three consultation options?
Option one: Quatro recycling bin
A wheelie bin separated into four sections for different types of recycling.
One bin would be provided to each household but would be available in two sizes: a 240 litre bin and a larger 370 litre bin.
The Quatro bin is emptied using a vehicle separated into four compartments to keep the recycling separated.
Option two: Two stackable recycling trolleys
This option contains three boxes stacked on a wheeled frame for your separated recycling.
The middle and bottom boxes have flaps to put recycling into the trolley and a lockable lid on the top box.
Each trolley provides 150 litres of recycling storage. Two trolleys would be given to each household, providing 300 litres for your recycling. However, if a household only needs one trolley, they would not be required to have two.
The trolleys are emptied using a vehicle with separate compartments to keep the recycling separated.
Option three: Two wheelie bins
Two wheelie bins for your separated recycling.
Two 180 litre bins would be given to each household, providing 360 litres for your recycling. Larger 240 litre bins would be available on request.
The wheeled bins are emptied using a vehicle split into two compartments to keep the recycling separated.
Frequently asked questions
What size are the bins / containers?
We have created a visual guide on the PDF document below to show how much recycling fits into each option compared to the current red boxes.
Recycling options - red box size comparison (PDF Document, 0.35 Mb)
The red boxes have been used as a standard guide for all of your recycling (including paper and cardboard) as most residents are familiar with the size of a red box, and the sizes of yellow bags can vary.
All dimensions are provided below as width by depth by height.
Option one: Quatro bin
The Quatro bin would be available in two sizes: a 240 litre bin and a larger 370 litre bin.
The dimensions of the two sizes are:
- 240 litre bin: 57.5 x 73 x 105.5 cm / 22.6 x 28.7 x 41.5 inches
- 370 litre bin: 77 x 80.5 x 123.5 cm / 30.3 x 31.7 x 48.6 inches.
Different sizes of internal compartments are available for the Quatro. The exact sizes of each compartment would be decided based on the tonnages of each type of recycling we collect.
Option two: two stackable trolleys
Each trolley provides 150 litres of recycling storage. Two trolleys would be given to each household, providing 300 litres for your recycling.
Each trolley measures 66 x 70 x 114 cm / 26 x 27.5 x 44.9 inches.
Option three: Two wheelie bins
Two 180 litre bins would be given to each household, providing 360 litres for your recycling. Larger 240 litre bins would be available on request.
The dimensions of the two sizes are:
- 180 litre bin: 57.8 x 64.5 x 105 cm / 22.8 x 25.4 x 41.3 inches
- 240 litre bin: 57.5 x 72.4 x 106.6 cm / 22.6 x 28.5 x 42 inches.
Current boxes and bags
The current recycling system uses:
- 55 litre red boxes
- 73 litre yellow bags
- 31 litre blue bags.
The dimensions of each recycling container are:
- Red box: 58 x 40 x 35 cm / 22.8 x 15.7 x 13.8 inches
- Yellow bag: 35 x 35 x 60 cm / 13.8 x 13.8 x 23.6 inches
- Blue bag: 30 x 30 x 34 cm / 11.8 x 11.8 x 13.4 inches.
As standard, we provide households with three red boxes, two yellow bags and one blue bag, creating 342 litres for your recycling. However there is no limit to the amount of boxes and bags residents can request.
Will one wheelie bin for mixed recycling be considered?
After the resident consultation period, DEFRA issued draft recycling collection guidance to local authorities, which for the first time supports the idea of co-mingled bins – where all recycling could be collected in one wheelie bin. This guidance will ultimately become law, so will be considered when looking at the recycling container options.
Why is the black recycling trolley with five drawers not included in the options?
In 2022 we launched a trial of a recycling trolley with drawers. However, following feedback from volunteers and waste collection operatives, the manufacturer decided to no longer produce the trolley due to costly improvements required to its wheels and its general robustness.
Will the council collect the old recycling containers?
Once an option has been picked to replace the boxes and bags, we will explore all options for boxes and bags to be reused, recycled and disposed of accordingly.
I share communal recycling bins with my neighbours, how will this affect me?
Please take a look at the PDF document below to see which bins would be provided to properties sharing communal bins. In all options, the yellow bags would no longer be used for cardboard and brown paper.
Communal recycling bins - waste services review options (PDF Document, 0.73 Mb)
What if I have difficulty moving recycling and waste bins / containers?
We offer an assisted collection service to anyone who has difficulty moving their bins and recycling containers. This service would continue following any changes to our bins / containers.
Will I still be able to recycle my textiles, batteries and phones?
Yes. More information on how to put these items out for collection will be provided once a decision has been made on the new collection system.
In the meantime, please continue to follow our guidance for putting these items out for collection whilst the review in taking place.
Where will my garden waste go?
Garden waste will continue to be collected in the brown lidded bin.
What about food waste?
Our food waste collection trial will continue until we are able to roll the collections out to everyone. The Government has confirmed that councils in England will receive funding to provide a weekly food waste collection for all households from 2025. We are currently awaiting more information about the funding.
Last updated: Wed 13 November, 2024 @ 12:23