Residents across Colchester are being asked to check their new recycling and rubbish collection calendars from 25 May, ahead of service changes coming into effect from 1 June 2026.
Every household in the city will receive a new collection calendar from 1 June, and for many people, collection days and weeks will change. Taking a moment to check will help avoid missed collections and make the transition to the new service as smooth as possible.
A simpler way to recycle at home
From June onwards, some areas of Colchester will start moving to a wheeled‑bin service for both recycling and rubbish. Other areas will follow later in the year, with the full rollout completed by March 2027.
The biggest change for many residents will be the ability to put most recycling together in one place. Plastics, paper and card, tins and cans can all go into a single recycling bin, making it quicker and simpler to recycle at home without sorting materials.
The recycling bin will be a black wheeled bin with a green lid, clearly marking it out for recycling and making it easy to use alongside the rubbish bin which will be all black. Before residents receive their recycling wheeled bin, you can mix plastics, paper and card, tins and cans in your clear recycling bags. Glass stays separate in a box, and we advise you to keep any spare boxes for if one breaks.
What will change from 1 June
Alongside the new bins, collection calendars are being updated to support the new service. Food will continue to be collected weekly, while recycling and rubbish will be collected on alternating fortnightly weeks. For those who subscribe to garden waste collections, these will take place on the same week as recycling.
Because of these changes, checking your new collection day in advance is especially important, as many households will see a change to their usual routine.
Early rollout areas begin the transition
Some households will start using the new wheeled bins from June as part of an early rollout phase. These residents will receive their bins and full guidance in advance, helping them get used to the new service and providing feedback that will shape the full rollout across the city later in 2026.
Supporting residents every step of the way
Cllr Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “The focus now is on helping residents feel prepared and confident about the changes. With changes starting from 1 June, it’s really important you take a moment to check your new collection calendar. Doing this early will help make sure everything runs smoothly from the start.
“These changes are about making recycling easier to manage at home and helping us keep Colchester clean and tidy as the city grows. We’ll continue to support residents with clear information, so everyone knows what to do and when.”
Check your calendar from 25 May
New collection calendars will be available online from 25 May and can be accessed using the usual postcode checker on the council website. Residents can visit this link for full details, FAQs, rollout updates, online calendars, and to check your future service.
Those who are unable to access their calendars online can call 01206 282700 for support, although residents are encouraged to check online where possible.
As a reminder, this is what you can expect from the new service
Most properties that currently place bags at the kerbside will move to the standard new service, which includes:
- One 180L black wheeled bin for non‑recyclable rubbish
- One 240L black wheeled bin with a green lid for mixed recycling: plastics, tins and cans, paper and card all together
- Glass recycling in a separate box
- Food recycling in a separate food caddy
If cardboard doesn’t fit in the bin, residents can flatten it and place it beside the bin for collection.
Rinsing, washing and squashing your recycling before you put it in your new bin loose (not in a clear bag) is an important step – it will allow you to get more in your bin!
Homes that are not suitable for wheeled bins, as assessed using our approved criteria, will continue to use bags for their collections. The new service will be introduced in stages, finishing by March 2027.