Changes to waste and recycling collections in Melton will support national recycling ambitions
Melton Borough Council’s Cabinet is due to consider a refreshed Household Waste and Recycling Collections policy.
It includes updates and operational changes which aim to improve recycling rates, reduce non-recyclable general waste and provide cost savings to the council through more efficient services.
A key component of the Government’s ambitions is the mandatory introduction of food waste collection services across the country. The Council is preparing to launch weekly food waste collections from Autumn 2026, however, implementation plans await the outcome of the Government’s finance settlement. Once in place, these collections will run alongside existing 2 weekly refuse and recycling collections, helping to reduce non-recyclable general waste and support national targets to achieve a 65% recycling rate.
Alongside food waste collections, and to further support with the reduction of general (non-recyclable) waste in the borough, the standard capacity of new or replacement residual waste black bins in the borough could be reduced from 240L to 180L. The 180L bins are the standard provision in many other local authorities and in Melton they will be introduced gradually. New -build homes will receive the 180L bins, while existing households will retain their current 240L bins until a replacement is needed. Households with specific needs, such as larger families or those generating higher volumes of hygiene waste, will be able to retain or apply for increased capacity.
To ensure services are efficient, effective and equitable across the borough, the policy also introduces some operational changes including moving to a booking system for clinical waste sharps (needles) and moving away from providing rolls of waste sacks to communal properties where there is access to communal bins. Together, these efficiencies will generate a saving of over £10,000 per year.
The clinical waste sharps collection service, used by approximately 700 households per year, currently experiences a high rate of missed collections due to households not presenting their sharps boxes on their scheduled collection dates. To improve convenience and better meet the needs of residents using this service, the Council will implement a new booking system which will enable households to request a collection when required. This will also improve efficiency of the service and reduce unnecessary costs.
Cllr Margaret Glancy, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services, said “It’s essential that we continue to review our services to ensure they meet government guidance, deliver value for money, and work for our communities. Supporting a clean and green borough remains a key priority for us, and it is pleasing that 82% respondents to the Leicestershire Waste and Resources Strategy consultation in 2022 agreed with the overall vision and pledges to reduce, repair and recycle wherever possible.
“Currently, 43% of waste produced by households across the borough is recycled, and we thank our residents for their continued efforts to make our borough cleaner and greener. It is, however, necessary to find ways to reduce the waste that cannot be recycled. We have resisted a move to a reduced frequency of collections and will maintain the alternate weekly service currently offered. Instead, we are taking a pragmatic approach including a phased reduction in bin capacity and supporting and encouraging good quality recycling across the borough through communication, engagement and where necessary, enforcement.
“We’re committed to keeping residents informed ahead of any changes. Together, we can make real progress in protecting our local environment and reducing waste.”
~ends~
For more information please contact: communications@melton.gov.uk
The Cabinet meeting will be available to view live on YouTube on 19 November 2025 from 4:30pm: https://democracy.melton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=202&MId=2671