Three-weekly black bin collections

We're planning on making changes to black bin collections, this would mean changing black bin collections from every fortnight to every three weeks. We know this is a change but we're here to help. Importantly you don't need to do anything for now - we'll be sharing more information and advice in plenty of time so you'll know what to do and how to access help if you need it.

Why are you making this change?

This change will help us:

• Reach a 60% recycling rate by reducing recyclable waste sent to landfill and energy from waste facilities*
• Reduce the amount of waste we create - and help to lower the cost to dispose of it
• Cut carbon emissions to help fight climate change
• Free up resources to help protect other essential council services

Currently, our most recent analysis shows that 42% of the waste in black bins could have been recycled using the kerbside services we already provide - including food waste, cardboard, glass, plastics, and metals. This highlights a significant opportunity for residents to recycle more and waste less. 

Despite offering a comprehensive range of recycling services and the largest standard black bin capacity in Berkshire, West Berkshire is among the top 10% of the highest-waste-producing areas in England, ranking 25th out of over 300 local authority areas for waste generated per person (Defra, 2022/23). This shows we need to do more to reduce the amount of waste we throw away.

At the moment, West Berkshire offers more black bin capacity than any other council in Berkshire - 120 litres per week. With this change, the new capacity will be 80 litres per week, the same as Bracknell, and still more than Reading at 70 litres per week. Other councils that have already moved to three weekly black bin collections, such as East Devon and Somerset, provide 60 litres a week - that's 25% less than what we will provide here.

Changing how often black bins are collected helps encourage residents to make better use of weekly food waste and fortnightly recycling collections, both of which have been expanded in recent years such as:

• Weekly food waste collections began in 2022

• You can now recycle plastic pots, tubs, and trays from home

• We collect household batteries on your black bin day

• You can now recycle coffee pods and vapes at our recycling centres

Evidence from other local authorities shows that switching to a three-weekly rubbish collection leads to higher recycling rates and less total waste generated.

*The upcoming expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to include energy from waste (EfW) facilities by 2028 is a key reason for reducing the amount of non-recyclable waste generated by households. Costs incurred by EfW facilities due to the inclusion of carbon emissions in the ETS will be passed on to local authorities, making it important to divert carbon-heavy materials to recycling and reuse streams.

How will my household manage, won't my bin be overflowing and be unhygienic?

It's important to note that these changes will not affect: 

• households with communal bin stores (for example: flats)
• weekly food waste collections
• fortnightly recycling and garden waste collections

Food waste will continue to be collected weekly, so it doesn't need to go into your black bin, reducing smells and pests. You can find out more about food waste recycling here.
 

To reduce smells from unavoidable waste such as nappies, sanitary waste, incontinence products or pet waste: 

• place items in securely tied bags
• keep bins out of direct sunlight where possible

For families with young children, we offer free trial packs and a cashback scheme for reusable nappies.

Most households that effectively manage their waste and make full use of the kerbside recycling, weekly food waste collections and garden waste service (or home composting), as well as our recycling centres, should still manage with the current standard size bin after the move to three weekly collections. If you occasionally have extra waste, you can take it to either of our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) free of charge. We encourage you to plan visits when already passing one of the sites if possible. Make the most of each visit by taking as much as you can fit in your vehicle each time. You can find out more about what you can take to the HWRCs and book an appointment here.

If you have a large family and/or have someone in the home who has a medical condition that generates a significant volume of unrecyclable waste, then you can apply for extra rubbish capacity here.

What extra support is available?

We understand that households may have different needs. To support residents: 

• assisted collections will continue for anyone elderly or less able who has difficulty moving their bins to the collection point - if you, or someone you know, needs this service, you can apply for it online
• our clinical collection service for needles, bandages, dressings and other disposable medical items will not change - if you think you may qualify for this type of collection, please ask your GP or health professional to send a request to us
• we are committed to making sure everyone has the help they need - we will be sending direct communications to all households moving to three weekly collections before the changes
• we'll also share important updates through local press and social media, so no one misses out on key information
   

Won't this change lead to an increase in fly-tipping?

We understand the concern around a possible increase in fly tipping as a result of this change. However, studies undertaken by Defra and Keep Britain Tidy show that fly-tipping is not directly caused by changes to bin collection frequency. 

Fly-tipping is more strongly linked to factors like high urban density, deprivation, and restricted access to Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). As an area with low urban density and deprivation, with access to two HWRCs, we experience a low number of fly tips compared to other areas of the country. We saw a decrease in the number of incidents during 2023/24 compared to an increase in fly tipping nationally. You can see the recent Defra report on fly tipping here.

Where councils have introduced three weekly collections, no significant increase in fly-tipping has been observed in similar local authority areas.

We actively enforce and investigate fly tipping across the district, issuing fines of up to £1,000 or prosecuting offenders. Did you know that you can be fined if your waste is fly tipped, even if you didn't commit the fly tip? Watch our video for more information about your duty of care.  

We continue to provide access to our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) for disposing of extra household waste responsibly.

Council Tax is increasing but you are reducing my black bin service?

Council Tax is not a direct payment for specific services. It is a property-based tax used to help fund all local services, including social care, libraries, and roads. This change will help reduce waste and cost pressures across the council, protecting other vital services for residents, so this change does not affect the amount of Council Tax you pay.

How will this increase recycling rates?

Our most recent black bin waste analysis found that 42% of the contents could have been recycled using existing kerbside services, demonstrating that there is currently a large amount of recyclable material not being recycled in West Berkshire.  

Evidence from other councils who have made the change to black bin collection frequencies have all seen their recycling rates increase, and the amount of waste they produce decrease. We've included some examples in the table below.   

You can find waste collection statistics are on the GOV.UK website.

Was this change consulted on?

We held a public consultation in autumn 2024 to get residents' views on improving recycling, reducing waste, and protecting the environment. 5,073 residents responded. 

The consultation explored potential changes to black bin collections and how we could best support residents. We communicated the consultation extensively via our social media channels, drop in events at libraries across the district and in the local press.  

You can see the consultation results (published on 11th February 2025) here.

You can find out delivery plan and timeline for implementing the strategy here.

What else is coming?

We already collect lots of items from the kerbside  but under the Government's Simpler Recycling plan, we're looking to expand kerbside recycling to include:

• Aluminium foil and cartons (Tetra Pak) by March 2026

• Plastic film (e.g. bread bags and crisp packets) by March 2027

In the meantime, cartons (Tetra Pak) can be taken to our mini recycling sites and Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

Helping you get ready

We'll let you know the exact date black bin collections will change well in advance to help you get ready, but we've already been working to make recycling easier for everyone:

• Weekly food waste collections began in 2022

• You can now recycle plastic pots, tubs, and trays from home

• We collect household batteries on your black bin day

• You can now recycle coffee pods and vapes at our recycling centres

All these steps are designed to reduce what goes in your black bin and help you manage your waste as easily as possible.

What can I do now?

To continue to support our residents, we've been hitting the road and travelling across West Berkshire to talk all things recycling. We're holding drop-in sessions at local libraries throughout May so if you want help and advice about recycling and the changes to the black bin collections, do come along. There's no need to book - please just turn up.

• Hungerford Library - Wednesday 21 May from 9.30am to 12.00pm
• Burghfield Library - Thursday 22 May from 10.00am to 12.00pm
• Pangbourne Library - Thursday 29 May from 09.30am to 12.00pm

The best way to prepare for the change to collections is to try and reduce your waste, repair items rather than throwing them away and then make the most of our recycling services and check what goes in each bin. Our team is ready to help with advice, extra recycling containers, or additional support where needed.

We'll bring you more information about the black bin collection changes soon