THE council is due to hold several roadshows to offer people help and support ahead of changes to rubbish collection in Colchester.

In June, residents in Mile End, Greenstead, Shrub End, Stanway, Berechurch and Old Heath and The Hythe - excluding The Hythe and Rowhedge - will have wheelie bins introduced.

Across Colchester, fortnightly collections will be introduced for general rubbish and a maximum of three 60 litre black sacks will be allowed per household per collection.

Food waste will continue to be collected weekly .

Free clear bags for recycling will be delivered but there will be no free black bags. 

White garden sacks will be free for non-wheelie bin areas, or a 240 litre wheelie bin in selected areas.

A second free green box will be given out for separate glass and cans .

The council's roadshows are designed to prepare people for these changes.

It says there will be expert advisors on hand to explain more about recycling, get hints and tips on how to waste less/save money and collect the free recycling containers or bags they may need. 

There will also be:

  • Demonstrations using real bins and containers to show what you can and can’t recycle 
  • Recycling themed videos 
  • The chance to subscribe to the Greener Living e-newsletter 

In mid-May every household that is moving over to a wheelie bin collection will receive information through their door on how the new service will work.

Councillor Paul Smith, leader of the council, said: "The council took these decisions to cut the amount of waste that goes to landfill and help increase the recycling we do in Colchester.

"We understand that these are big changes.

"We are here to support residents that need extra help to understand what can and cannot go in the containers and these information roadshows, where residents can come and talk to us and ask any questions that they have, will help to deliver that.  

 "There will be a small number of households due to their specific circumstances will produce more than the three bag limit.

"They will be able to apply under our exemptions policy, which will be available online from mid-May and will include a visit from a Recycling Zone Warden to ensure we go through each application on an individual basis."

Roadshow dates are as follows:

Saturday 13 May 

Asda Colchester Superstore  

Turner Road, Mile End, Colchester, CO4 5TU 

9am – 5pm 

Wednesday 17 May 

Sainsbury’s Stanway Superstore 

1 Stanway Western Bypass, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 8AA 

11am – 7pm 

Thursday 18 May 

Tesco Extra Highwoods 

Highwoods Square, Colchester, CO4 9ED 

11am – 7pm 

Friday 19 May 

Asda Colchester Superstore 

Turner Road, Mile End, Colchester, CO4 5TU 

11am – 7pm 

Saturday 20 May 

Tesco Extra Highwoods 

Highwoods Square, Colchester, CO4 9ED 

9am – 5pm 

Tuesday 23 May 

Greenstead Community Centre 

Hawthorne Avenue, Colchester, CO4 3QE 

10am – 2pm 

Wednesday 24 May 

Wivenhoe Library 

104/6 High Street, Wivenhoe, Colchester, CO7 9AB 

8.30am - 4pm 

Friday 26 May 

Next to the Anchor Pub, Rowhedge 

High Street, Rowhedge, Colchester, CO5 7ES 

2-5pm 

Saturday 27 May 

Colchester Market 

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1PJ 

8.30am-4pm 

Tuesday 30 May 

Leisure World Colchester 

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, CO1 1YH 

9.30am – 6pm 

Thursday 1 June 

The Recreation Ground at Old Heath 

Old Heath Road, Colchester, CO1 2ER 

11am – 2.30pm 

Friday 2 June 

Tesco Superstore Hythe 

Greenstead Road, Colchester, CO1 2TE 

11am – 7.30pm 

Saturday 3 June 

Tesco Superstore Hythe 

Greenstead Road, Colchester, CO1 2TE 

9am – 6pm 

Wednesday 7 June 

Sainsbury’s Stanway Superstore 

1 Stanway Western Bypass, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 8AA 

11am – 7pm 

Saturday 10 June 

Lion Walk Shopping Centre 

Lion Walk, Colchester, CO1 1LF 

9am – 6pm 

Thursday 13 June 

Mersea Community and Sports Centre (MICA) 

38A High Street, West Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8QA 

10.30 – 3pm 

Friday 16 June 

Tiptree Parish Council Office (outside) 

Mynott Court, Tiptree, Colchester, CO5 0UP 

10am – 3pm 

For more information visit colchester.gov.uk/recycling.