Suffolk County Council preparing for changes to its recycling and waste collections, which will come into effect by the end of March 2026.

At its meeting on 10 September, the council's Cabinet will be asked to allocate the resources required so preparations can keep progressing, to meet the new statutory duties regarding waste.

"Simpler Recycling" announced under the previous government, aims for the same materials - plastic, metal, glass, paper and card - to be collected from homes, workplaces and schools across England, along with a separate food waste collection.

£4.535 million of reserves has already been earmarked by the county council for the major infrastructure and service changes needed. This includes essential alterations to waste transfer stations to enable the separate collection of food waste and enhanced recycling.

Collection of recycling and waste at the kerbside remains the responsibility of borough and district councils, with the county council taking control once it is deposited at waste transfer stations. This is where materials are consolidated for onward transport, to minimise waste miles.

Cllr Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said: "Simpler Recycling will bring big changes to the way we all think about, and dispose of, our recycling and waste. It's a once in a generation opportunity to change our culture and increase how much we recycle, reduce our carbon emissions from waste and reduce costs associated with waste disposal.

"To make all this happen efficiently, the county council is investing in huge changes behind the scenes at waste transfer stations, such as making it possible to receive food waste, which is something we are currently unable to do."

The cabinet paper is not seeking any additional funding from the council's budget, but is actioning the already-allocated £4.535 million from reserves. Further funding of £0.7 million has also been secured through a Community Infrastructure Levy contribution from East Suffolk Council towards the improvements to Lowestoft recycling centre and waste transfer station.

"Through the Suffolk Waste Partnership, we have a good working relationship across all councils to manage the whole recycling and waste journey in the county. Together, transforming local waste services will play a key role in protecting and enhancing our environment for future generations.

"It will also save money for Suffolk taxpayers, as the new system will make recycling easier. We estimate that 58% of current general waste could be diverted to other recycling and organic waste collections in future, reducing costs."

35% of what Suffolk throws away in its non-recyclable, general waste, is food. Food waste has a large carbon footprint and so collecting that separately will have a positive effect on carbon reduction and progress towards net zero.