Colchester residents have shared their views after the council revealed its £2.2million scheme to give thousands of residents wheelie bins.
Colchester Council is preparing to introduce changes to recycling and waste collections to make recycling easier for residents and improve street cleanliness.
From June 1, some areas of Colchester will start moving to a wheeled‑bin service for both recycling and non‑recyclable waste.
On March 11, the cabinet will be meeting to discuss the wheelie bin’s estimated contract estimated to be worth a total of £2,241,650 to IPL Plastics (UK).
An estimated 135,000 bins will be required with about 13,000 properties already having a black bin and about 73,000 properties needing a recycling bin.
About 1.4 per cent of properties, expected to rise to 2 per cent, remain on the sacks service.
A council spokesperson said households will be notified directly ahead of any changes to their service.
The rollout will take place between June 2026 and March 2027, with updates added to the website as details are confirmed.
The spokesperson said property assessments are taking place in line with the rollout order, which is why some postcodes on their website are currently displayed as 'not assessed yet'.
These will be completed before the main rollout begins.
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Colchester Council has already changed the rules for flats in the city with many flats now receiving weekly food collections. .
Sam Biscoe, who lives in an apartment in Colchester city centre said: “I have lived in Colchester for a few years and like a lot of people living in flats I think recycling can be a bit harder when you have shared bins or rubbish chutes because everything can end up mixed together.
“It is not always obvious what should go where and if the system is not clear it can put people off recycling properly.”
Regarding the changes already introduced to flats he said: “I have already noticed some of the changes starting where I live.
“We now have a food waste recycling bin in the building, and I was given a small food waste caddy at my door to make it easier to take food waste down. That feels like a really positive step and it definitely makes it easier to separate things properly.
“I think a lot of younger people do want to be greener and recycle more, but the system has to be simple and easy to follow because people are busy and juggling lots of things.
“Clear guidance and straightforward collection arrangements make a big difference.”
Sam said the changes to houses sound positive, adding: “A lot of people in Colchester live in flats including students and young professionals, so improving recycling facilities there could really help increase recycling overall.”
Gazette reader Robert Waghorn said: “About time, sick of picking up rubbish blown around my property every week from split bin bags.”
Natasha Hall, agreed, saying: “I think everyone should have bins.
“Colchester’s bin days look nasty, rubbish everywhere, we have foxes and rats getting into them, it makes the place look bad.”
Reader Amanda Fair said they already have the black wheelie bins for the black bags, saying it is great to have them.
She said: “The green wheelie bins to be introduced for everything all together – is fine by me.
“Seems to me though they’re going to be making extra work for themselves by sorting it all. When we've always been told to separate our recycling.”
Sandra Pledger said there is no logic putting paper in a plastic bag or taking out the kitchen bin and putting in a black sack instead of straight into a wheelie bin.
Denise King, Gazette reader, said: “Can’t wait, be good to get rid of those horrible black bags strewn everywhere.
Patrick Mead added: “Time to buy a bin compactor to really squash the rubbish in.
“Should get more than three bags in one bin then.”
To find out more visit www.colchester.gov.uk/waste-strategy/.
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