Stockton Council is altering the way it collects household waste and recycling
Wheelie bins.(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Stockton residents are set for changes in the way their rubbish is being collected. From March 31, recycling and food waste will be collected weekly in line with new national legislation.
The authority says this will give householders the opportunity to increase the amount of waste that can be collected and recycled on a weekly basis and will allow people across the country to recycle the same materials, no longer needing to check what their council will accept for recycling.
Household waste, the non-recyclable waste that normally goes in your green wheeled bin, will be moving to fortnightly collections in the Stockton borough.
Here’s everything you need to know about the changes:
Food Waste Recycling
Starting in April 2026, all local authorities in England are legally required to provide weekly food waste collections for every household, including flats and communal housing.
A council spokesperson said: “We have now started delivering to all households in the borough two food waste caddies and biodegradable caddy liners, as well as information on what can go in the caddies. Replacement caddy liners will also be supplied, free of charge, once the service starts using a simple re-order ribbon tied to the handle of your food waste caddy.
You’ll get:
• a 5-litre indoor food caddy for your kitchen
• a 23-litre food caddy for outside collection
Other recycling
All other recycling will also be collected weekly. Each household will receive an additional weighted bag for the collection of plastics, cans and cartons, in addition to their current white bag for paper and card and blue box for glass and batteries.
The council add: “We will also be offering residents new kerbside collections of clothes and shoes and small electrical and electronic equipment.”
Garden Waste Collections
“You can have your garden waste collected by subscribing to our annual service which runs for 36 weeks of the year from March until November. The cost of the service is £40 per year per household. Additional bins for those with larger gardens are available at a reduced cost of £25. New subscribers will get a new brown garden waste bin,” the council says.
This fortnightly service is optional and is not included in your Council Tax.
Will my collection days change?
For some residents this will mean a change in their collection day, and the authority will be informing those effected by letter. Households can also use the online postcode checker here to check their next waste and recycling collection or sign up to our My Council app.
Assisted collections
If you already receive assisted collections, this will continue.
Back alley properties
Back alley properties will continue to receive weekly residual waste collections along with recycling and food waste collection. These properties have historically had issues with fly tipping and the council has adopted a clear-all service for these areas only.
Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture, said: “Due to changes in national legislation, financial pressures and our ongoing commitment to reduce our carbon emissions, we needed to change the way we collect and dispose of the Borough’s waste to ensure an efficient, effective and resilient service which is fit for the future.
“The Borough’s current recycling rate is the lowest in the Tees Valley. Introducing a weekly recycling collection, alongside a weekly food waste collection will hopefully encourage households to recycle more.
“The removal of food waste and other recyclable material allows residual household waste to be collected fortnightly. Although your refuse bin will be collected less often, you’ll have more frequent recycling options – including weekly food waste collections – so you can easily keep your bins manageable.
“Households who may benefit are also encouraged to subscribe to our garden waste collection service if they haven’t already. These changes to our waste and recycling service will help the Council move forward with our commitment to the environment, reduce costs and, most importantly, continue to provide an outstanding service to our residents. We recognise this will mean a new routine for many people, and we are committed to working with residents and businesses to make the transition as smooth as possible.
“Since May last year our Resident Engagement Officers have been out and about in the local community to discuss these changes with residents and businesses, and this will continue in the coming months. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on where and when you can meet the team. You can also keep up to date with all the changes via our social media channels or by visiting www.stockton.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling-improvements .
“And remember, you don’t need to wait for the new arrangements to make a difference. We are grateful to all our residents for continuing to recycle, but if you can do more, please do and help us to recycle as much as possible.”