Some households in England will soon face a major change in their waste collection schedules, with black bin pick-ups potentially shifting to a four-week cycle. Bristol is set to become the first major city in England to implement this system, prompting discussions on how residents can manage their household waste more efficiently.
As local authorities push to reduce landfill waste and boost recycling rates, experts are advising households on strategies to cope with less frequent rubbish collection. Sarah Day, a storage expert at Pay Less For Storage, has outlined key steps that households can take to maintain hygiene, limit odours, and manage waste effectively under the new regulations.
Bristol’s plan to cut waste and increase recycling
Bristol City Council, led by the Green Party, is proposing a four-weekly collection for black waste bins. According to the council, the city already has the highest recycling rate among England’s core cities, with 45% of household waste being recycled.
The move aims to encourage even higher recycling rates and decrease the amount of waste sent to landfill sites.
Under the new system, residents will still have fortnightly food waste collections and regular recycling pick-ups. However, general waste disposal will become less frequent, requiring households to adjust their waste management habits.
The proposal has sparked debate, with some residents expressing concerns about overflowing bins, hygiene issues, and increased fly-tipping.
Similar waste reduction policies have been successfully implemented in other UK regions, including parts of Wales and Scotland, where less frequent bin collections have led to an increase in recycling rates.
Supporters argue that reducing black bin collection frequency will encourage better sorting of recyclables, while critics warn that the policy could lead to a surge in uncollected waste.
Expert advice on waste management and hygiene
As households prepare for these changes, Sarah Day has offered practical solutions to minimise the impact of less frequent black bin collections. She recommends that families adopt home composting for organic kitchen waste, reducing the amount of food waste left to decompose in bins.
“If you have a garden, home composting is a reliable and hygienic way to dispose of organic kitchen waste,” she said. “A composting system can prevent food waste, such as fruit and vegetable peelings, from sitting in your bin for a month.”
To further reduce household waste, Day suggests sorting materials efficiently. Stackable recycling storage bins for metal, plastics, and paper can help streamline recycling efforts and prevent unnecessary waste from going into black bins.
Additionally, using air-tight food waste caddies and compostable waste bags can help control odours and prevent pest issues. Households are also encouraged to be more mindful of packaging waste, opting for products with minimal or recyclable packaging whenever possible.
