Everything you need to know about the new wheelie bins coming to Southend – including which houses will be exempt

Southend is preparing for a major switch to wheelie bins for all residents this year, as part of a new £144 million eight-year waste management contract designed to improve waste collection services across the city.

The move has sparked considerable local debate, with residents expressing concerns about space constraints and the practicalities of the new system.

SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, the new waste contractor appointed by Southend-on-Sea City Council, is now conducting an extensive assessment to determine which properties are suitable for wheelie bins.

The company is set to take over services from the current contractor, Veolia, in a move that marks a significant shift in how the city’s waste and recycling are managed.

The audit will assess properties based on space availability, accessibility, and collection logistics. Over the coming months, Southend residents may notice SUEZ representatives inspecting properties – but there’s no need to worry, as no action is required from householders at this stage.

Once the audit is complete, residents will be informed of their eligibility for wheelie bins and will have the opportunity to raise any concerns before the new waste system launches in October 2025.

Cllr Lydia Hyde, cabinet member for climate, environment, and waste, highlighted the positive impact these changes will have:

“Switching to wheelie bins for our waste is a big change for residents, and our focus is to make sure that we make the new system work for all. That’s why we’re taking the time to visit every home and putting in a process for residents to raise their specific concerns.”

“I’m pleased to say that unlike many other councils, we’re not allowing bins to be stored on our pavements. This prevents obstacles on our footpaths and maintains our street scene.”

“We are enhancing our Assisted Collection service for those with mobility issues, where bins will be collected and returned to the storage point on a property. We are also using a special design on the bin lids to aid those with visual impairments.”

Are you looking forward to receiving the new wheelie bins? Leave a comment at the bottom of this article and let us know.

Who will get wheelie bins – and how many?

Most suitable households will receive three standard-size wheelie bins, each with a 180-litre capacity:

• One bin for general waste
• One bin for recyclables
• One bin for paper and card

Larger households (with six or more residents) or those producing additional medical or hygiene waste will be able to request larger 240-litre bins.

Who will be exempt from having the new bins in Southend?

Some properties will be deemed unsuitable for wheelie bins. Exemptions will apply where:

• There’s insufficient space to store the bins within the property boundary.
• The placement of a bin would obstruct the entrance to the property.
• Moving the bin to the collection point would be challenging or unsafe.
• The waste crew would need to wheel the bin more than 50 metres to collect it (e.g., along a service alley).

Residents who cannot physically present their bins due to mobility issues will still receive support through the council’s Assisted Collection service. This includes arranging for bins to be collected and returned directly from the storage point.

When will the wheelie bins arrive in Southend?

Wheelie bin deliveries are set to begin in August 2025, but residents should not start using them until 27 October 2025 when the new waste system officially begins.

How often will bin collections happen in Southend?

Under the new system, collections will follow an alternate weekly schedule:

• Recycling will be collected one week.
• General waste will be collected the following week.

Food waste collections will remain weekly to minimise odours and food-related litter problems.

What are the new rules for the wheelie bins in Southend?

If you overflow your black bin with general waste, you will receive a warning letter. If you continue to overflow the black bin, a fine may be issued. The council says the black bins are only for non-recyclable waste like sanitary products and pet waste – most other items can be recycled instead.

Incorrectly presented rubbish (for example, if you continue using sacks or put the wrong items in bins) can be treated as fly-tipping or mis-presented waste. This could result in a fixed penalty fine issued by the council.

Bins should be returned to your property after collection by the bin crews. Under the council’s new contract with waste contractor SUEZ, crews are required to do this. If they fail, the company can be fined.

How to stop maggots, flies and bad smells from Southend’s new wheelie bins

With general waste now collected every 14 days, keeping the bins clean is vital to prevent smells, flies and maggots. Things you can do to keep the bins clean:

• Rinse food packaging before binning
• Keep lids shut tight
• Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda in the base to absorb moisture and odours
• Store bins in the shade to slow decay
• Wash the bins with hot soapy water or disinfectant after each collection
• Lining the base with newspaper or bin liners also helps stop liquids pooling and rotting.

For anyone who would rather avoid the hassle, a new local firm called BIN 2 CLEAN offers regular professional bin cleaning. The owner of the company said: “At BIN 2 CLEAN, everything we do is based on getting bins hygienically clean and keeping them that way permanently… all for less than the price of a takeaway for two.” You can view their low-cost subscription plans on their website here: www.bin2clean.com

What’s the benefit of wheelie bins coming to Southend?

The wheelie bins are expected to:

• Increase recycling rates by improving how waste is separated.
• Protect the environment by preventing scavenging animals from ripping open bin bags and leaving litter on the streets.
• Maintain cleaner streets, as bin contents are better contained.

What about flats and communal areas in Southend?

Properties with communal bin arrangements, such as blocks of flats and some Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), will continue with their existing service unless otherwise notified.

Garden waste collections

Southend City Council’s garden waste service will remain an optional, subscription-based scheme. If you renew your subscription before the new contract starts in April 2025, your service will continue uninterrupted for the remainder of your subscription period.

Why is this change happening in Southend?

The council is taking action to boost Southend’s recycling rates, which currently sit at 43.5%, below the government’s target of 65% by 2035. Maintaining the current waste collection system would add £10 million in costs over the next eight years, contributing to an estimated £32.9 million budget gap by 2029.

By introducing wheelie bins and encouraging better recycling habits, the council aims to reduce waste disposal costs, improve environmental sustainability, and create a cleaner, greener Southend-on-Sea.

Who is new waste contractor SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK?

SUEZ recycling and recovery UK is a leading provider of waste management solutions, serving communities and businesses across the UK. SUEZ aims to play a vital role in helping local authorities achieve their sustainability goals.

John Scanlon, chief executive officer for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, expressed his enthusiasm about the company’s latest partnership, stating:

“We are thrilled that SUEZ has been given this opportunity to provide recycling, waste, and street cleansing services for Southend Council. We look forward to embarking on this new partnership which will roll out new customer service benefits for residents, together with an ambitious strategy to help the council realise its carbon neutral aspirations, increase recycling rates and deliver lasting benefits for the local community. We are excited to get started and deliver for the people of Southend.”