From October 28, 2025, most households will switch to using wheelie bins instead of the current sack system, with collections scheduled fortnightly.
The council says this change is designed to improve recycling, reduce environmental impact, and cut down on litter and injuries caused by sacks.
Some residents have raised concerns and questions about space, access, and what it means for their household.
To address these concerns, Southend Council has updated its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help clarify what’s happening, why it’s changing, and what support is available.
Lydia Hyde, councillor responsible for climate, environment and waste, said: “We know that this is a significant change for Southend, and there is understandable concern on social media about whether there is space for wheelie bins on their properties and how the new fortnightly collections will work in practice.
“We are listening to residents’ views and we have been actively promoting the review process.
“We’ve also updated our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to reflect many of the questions that have been shared online.
“These changes are about improving recycling, keeping our streets cleaner, and delivering a more reliable service, but we also want to work with residents to help them understand how the new system will work for them.
“Please have a look at the FAQs, speak to us if you have questions, and download the Southend Waste app so you have everything you need in one place.”
Here are the most commonly asked questions, alongside the answers by Southend Council:
Where is my letter?
Households have begun receiving letters confirming whether they will remain on sack collections or move to wheelie bins.
These letters are being delivered in stages throughout August, and all letter should have been delivered by August 27.
Southend Council has also highlighted issues with Royal Mail deliveries, so have urged residents to be patient.
If you still have not received yours by August 27, call 01702 215006.
What are the changes?
Most homes will switch from plastic sacks to wheelie bins for both recycling and waste that cannot be recycled.
Properties that are suitable for wheelie bins will receive a black bin with a black lid for waste that cannot be recycled.
Households will also receive a black bin with a pink lid for plastic, glass, and cans, as well as black bin with a blue lid for dry, clean paper, and card.
All of the above will be collected fortnightly.
Properties will also receive a blue caddy for food waste, which will continue to be collected weekly.
Also available is a textiles white sack, and small electricals service, which can be booked monthly.
A green bin will be used for garden waste weekly which is paid of via a subscription.
What are the benefits of changing to wheelie bins?
Southend Council say changing from a sack waste collection service to using wheelie bins has many advantages.
This includes higher levels of recycling, better quality of recycling materials by separating paper and card, lower rates of injuries for residents and crews from moving sacks, less street litter from sack spillage, and cleaner streets.
Who decided on the criteria for wheelie bins or sack collections?
Southend Council’s cabinet approved the detailed criteria for which properties suitable to have wheelie bins.
Properties were assessed using the following criteria:
space to store the bins within the boundary of the property
that there is access to move the bin in and out of the boundary of the property
that there are no hazardous points that affects the movement of the bins such as steep steps or steep inclines
that there is an acceptable distance for crews to move the wheelie bins
What are the criteria for properties not suitable for wheelie bins?
SUEZ carried out property surveys on behalf of Southend Council across the whole of the city.
The criteria for not having wheelie bins are:
insufficient storage or space for the bins
no access
More detailed criteria below for properties that are not suitable:
no rear, side access or front area
no point of collection
impractical to pull wheelie bins out e.g., through a narrow gate, down multiple steps, across very rough ground or through the house. This does not mean blocking access to a car/parking space on a personal driveway
dangerous to move wheelie bins from storage to presentation point
bin would have to be wheeled down numerous steps/steep incline
no suitable presentation point at property boundary
no access to property boundary by collection vehicle and too far for crew to move bin
“I believe my property is not suitable for wheelie bins”
If you believe that your property does not have suitable space or access for wheelie bins you can request a review of your property.
This may take some time and it is possible that wheelie bins will be delivered to your property before the review process has been completed.
For more, visit https://www.southend.gov.uk/kerbside-collections/new-kerbside-bin-sack-allocation-ask-review
What if I am staying on sack collections?
All properties in Southend have been assessed to check that they have space to store wheelie bins and that it is accessible to move wheelie bins in and out of this space.
If your property is not suitable for wheelie bins you will continue to remain on weekly a sack and box collection service:
black sacks (provided by resident) for waste that cannot be recycled collected weekly
pink sack (provided by Southend Council) for clean and dry recycling materials collected weekly
blue box for clean and dry paper and card collected weekly
green garden waste sacks (by subscription) collected weekly
blue food waste caddy – collected weekly
Why are there two new bins for recycling?
Southend Council say there is better quality recycling if it is separate.
They state it is better for the environment and often means the rubbish can be processed closer to home.
Will the old paper blue boxes be collected for recycling at some point?
Blue boxes will not be collected.
Residents are encouraged to repurpose or dispose of them at one of the tips in the area.
Where should I store my bin?
You should store your bin within the boundaries of your property, for example to the front, side or rear of your property.
Southend Council say they have undertaken a property survey to ensure that each property only receives wheelie bins if it has space and access.
Residents are urged not leave bins in the street or on public land.
How do I know which bins to put out each week?
A new resident waste app is now available.
If you have a smart phone it takes a few moments to sign up for the app, which can then send you weekly reminders about which bins to put out each week.
More details on the app, can be found at https://www.southend.gov.uk/SRWapp.
All residents changing to wheelie bins will also receive a collection calendar and full service leaflet when the wheelie bins are delivered to your property.
How environmentally friendly are the new wheelie bins?
The new wheelie bins are made in Rotherham in the UK.
The main body of all the new bins and the black lids are made from 100 per cent recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) sourced in the UK.
The only new plastic used is to make the pink and blue lids. The wheelie bins are also recyclable.
“I get an assisted collection. Will that continue?”
If you have a disability or medical condition and there is nobody else in your household who can help you put out your sacks or wheelie bins, you may be eligible for an assisted collection.
SUEZ will not be able to enter your home to collect sacks or bins, but they can collect it from a more convenient place outside your property.
For more details call 01702 215006.
If you already have assisted collection service in place you do not need to re-apply.
“I do not generate enough waste to fill a 180l bin every fortnight. Can I have a smaller bin?”
Smaller bins are not currently available.
Southend Council decided to collect with a 180 litre wheelie bin, as they say this size will provide enough space for waste.
“What if we are a large family and produce a lot of waste?”
Southend Council has urged all residents to try out the new bins first for at least four weeks as they believe the wheelie bins provide enough capacity for most households.
Larger households may be considered for larger bins after this four week period.
“I live in a house converted into flats, we recycle a lot and we do not need a 180l black bin per household. Can we have one removed?”
Yes, as long as all neighbours agree, households will be able to contact Southend Council to remove a wheelie bin.
“I live in a flat and we get a communal collection. Will that change?”
Flats that have communal bins will continue to receive a weekly communal collection.