The council is planning to separate paper and cardboard from other recycling in the latest change. The plans include new disposable sacks for paper and card recycling and if agreed the changes could start next autumn.
The council says bringing in wheelie bins, and or containers to store rubbish ahead of collection, would see an upfront cost of up to £2.4million and annual costs of up to £400,000 compared to a current £1.7million spent on the service.
Councillors will discuss the latest plans at a cabinet meeting on September 16. Shelving plans for wheelie bins is also partly due to the Government plans to scrap all councils in Essex and replace them with larger authorities with more powers and responsibilities, according to council documents.
Documents for the meeting state: “The Government’s commitment to a national policy of simpler recycling was published on November 29, 2024. This requires that councils collect a common set of recyclable materials from the kerbside for both residents and businesses.
“It is essential that decisions regarding ongoing service delivery and the medium-term financial strategy of existing councils do not compromise the future sustainability of new councils.
“To move to a fully containerised solution would be an upfront cost of up to £2.4million and an annual increase to the council’s service budget of up to £400,000 compared to a current baseline of £1.7m. There is a strong argument to suggest that this would not be value for money, if it is to be a solution which may be changed again within the next five to eight years.”
The Labour Government is set to scrap all councils across Essex and replace them with larger authorities that cover larger areas. Under the proposals Castle Point, Rochford and Southend could all be under one council.