In the news: Basildon introduces new waste and recycling service to bring back pride to the borough

Under the new service, non-recyclable waste will be collected weekly from household wheeled bins. Residents will also receive disposable white and blue plastic bags to replace the unpopular reusable recycling sacks.

To help residents understand the new system, starting this week a leaflet explaining how to use the service will be distributed, along with rolls of the new white and blue recycling bags, which will be in use from 28th April.

Additional bags will be available free of charge at libraries, Basildon Centre and Barleylands Recycling Centre, where old sacks can also be returned.

Cllr Aidan McGurran, Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said:"Residents couldn't have made it more clear that returning to weekly general waste collections was their number one priority and we have listened and are delivering on that but obviously this comes at a cost.

"We are committed to improving our waste and recycling services for households across the borough and I will encourage residents to attend one of our waste service roadshows to find out more and have their questions answered.

"If you can't attend a roadshow don't worry you will receive a leaflet explaining the changes and information will be made available on the council website."

The council will host a series of roadshows for residents to gather more information and have their questions answered. Roadshows will be held from 9 am to 1 pm on the following dates and locations:

• Thursday 20 March at Wickford Town Council Office
• Thursday 27 March at Humankind Café, Billericay
• Wednesday 2 April at Laindon Community Centre
• Wednesday 9 April at Eastgate Centre, Basildon
• Wednesday 16 April at Pitsea Market
• Wednesday 23 April at Basildon Town Centre

For more details on the new service, residents can visit the council website.

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Published 12 March 2025