The government wanted to simplify recycling and standardise it.
It required all councils in England to collect glass, metal, plastic, paper, card and food and garden waste from 31 March 2026 – but Suffolk authorities decided to start slightly later.
The Better Recycling scheme has been operational since 1 June across the county.
Under the scheme, households are required to separate recycling into additional bins, including specific food waste caddies, which should be collected weekly.
The other bins are on a different collection cycle – either every three weeks or every two weeks – depending on where you live.
In the seven weeks since the new recycling programme started, all councils in the county experienced teething problems, but East Suffolk Council’s issues have continued, including breaking its commitment to collect food waste weekly.
Residents have reported maggots, flies and vermin due to missed collections.
There have also been missed collections of larger wheelie bins used for general waste, recycling and green waste bins, which are a paid-for service.
