Improving recycling in Lewes district

Lewes District Council is looking at moving to fortnightly refuse (black sack waste) collections from November 2025, to increase household recycling in the district.

Recycling collections would stay fortnightly and food waste collections would stay weekly. This system is called 'Alternate Weekly Collections' and would apply to most properties in the district.

Why are we looking at moving to Alternate Weekly Collections?

Central government has set all councils a target recycling rate - the amount of household waste recycled - of 55%. This will increase to 65% by 2035.

Lewes district residents are great at recycling and what we send for processing is generally low in contamination, quality material, meaning it is clean, dry and consists of the right items.

The recycling rate in Lewes district is currently around 41% and has been for several years.

However, because of the high targets set by government, the council needs to increase the recycling rate in the district. With food waste collections becoming mandatory across the country from 2026, there will likely be an increased national focus on performance in this area, and this is where Lewes district does not perform so well.

On average, about 38% of refuse collected in Lewes district is food waste which could have been composted.
A further 37% is comprised of other recyclable items.
Just under a quarter of all homes currently use the council's free weekly food waste collections.
Only about 25% of the average refuse bin is non-recyclable waste.

Alternate Weekly Collections are a proven way to encourage households to recycle more of their waste. Studies by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) show that moving to alternate weekly collections typically increases household recycling rates by 5-7%. This can be even more for councils that offer food waste collections.

Most councils in England have already moved to alternate weekly collections, including all other district and borough councils in East Sussex.

The proposed change would mean an increase in the amount of waste recycled in the district and would reduce the amount of waste sent for incineration. It would also mean fewer collection vehicles on the roads.

Under the proposals, most properties would have their recycling and refuse collections the same day of the week (alternating each week). This would simplify collection calendars, making it easier for residents to know when to put their bins out.

Feedback survey

We are inviting feedback on the proposals via the survey, which is available via the link below.

We are interested to know what positive and negative impacts changing to Alternate Weekly Collections could have on your household. We would also like to know what would help you with a change to fortnightly refuse collections.

This could include:

Request free weekly food waste collections
Requesting a larger recycling bin - see FAQ section on bin sizes below for guidance
Requesting an additional recycling bin - see FAQ section on bin sizes below for guidance
Requesting a larger refuse bin - see FAQ section on bin sizes below for guidance
Requesting an assisted collection
Request a weekly clinical waste collection e.g. for adult incontinence pants

Feedback Survey

Frequently asked questions

What changes are being considered?

Lewes District Council is looking at moving to 'Alternate Weekly Collections' for most properties in Lewes district.

This means refuse (black sack waste) collections would change from weekly to fortnightly.

Recycling collections will stay fortnightly. Food waste collections would stay weekly.

We would also make collections simpler by having the same day of the week for refuse and recycling collections (which would alternate). This has shown to be an easier way for residents to know when to put out their bin.

Alternate Weekly Collections are a proven way to encourage householders to recycle more of their waste. Most councils in England have already moved to alternate weekly collections, including all other district and borough councils in East Sussex.

What properties would stay on weekly refuse collections?

Some flats, houses of multiple occupation and town centre properties with nowhere to store a bin off the street, will continue to get weekly refuse collections. If your property currently uses a gull-proof sack for refuse, your property would stay on weekly refuse collections.

Would collection days change?

For most residents, your refuse and recycling would be collected on the same day of the week.

For example, if your current bin day is a Tuesday then your recycling would be collected on Tuesday one week and your refuse would be collected the following Tuesday. This has shown to be an easier way for residents to know when to put out their bin.

We would send out new collection calendars before anything changes.

Why is the council considering these changes?

Central government has set all councils a target recycling rate - the amount of household waste recycled - of 55%. This will increase to 65% by 2035.

Lewes district residents are great at recycling and what we send for processing is generally low in contamination, quality material, meaning it is clean, dry and consists of the right items.

The recycling rate in Lewes district is currently around 41% and has been for several years. However, because of the high targets set by government, we need to look at ways to increase the recycling rate in the district.

With food waste collections becoming mandatory across the country from 2026, there will likely be an increased national focus on performance in this area, and this is where Lewes district does not perform so well.

How is the council listening to feedback from residents about the proposals?

We are interested to know how these changes could affect people, positively or negatively.

We are running a feedback survey.

Feedback Survey

You can pick up a paper copy of the survey from any of our offices.

Visit our offices
You can also request Information in alternative formats and languages

If adopted, when would the changes happen?

After the survey closes, we will be review feedback from residents. This will inform whether there are any other changes we need to consider.

Any changes would start from November 2025 and we would communicate with all residents and send out updated collection calendars before any changes are made.

Are you going to change recycling, food waste or garden waste collections?

We are not considering changing how often we collect recycling, food waste or garden waste.

The day of the week that we collect your refuse and recycling may change to the same day of the week, then alternate each fortnight. Food waste would be collected on the same days.

I already fill up my refuse bin each week, how would I manage with two weeks' worth of waste?

On average, about 38% of refuse collected in Lewes district is food waste which could have been composted.
A further 37% is comprised of other recyclable items.
Just under a quarter of all homes currently use the council's free weekly food waste collections.
Only about 25% of the average refuse bin is non-recyclable waste.

If you currently have a slimline refuse bin (140 litre), you can request a larger refuse bin (240) here:

Request a larger refuse bin

To sign-up for our free, weekly food waste collections, visit:

If you have a large household (10+ adults) you can request a second refuse bin by visiting:

Request a second refuse bin (for larger households only)

Is there any help to try reusable nappies, wipes or sanitary products?

Please put all used single-use nappies in a sealed bag, such as a nappy sack, before putting them in your refuse bin. This will help prevent unpleasant smells.

We are encouraging residents to try reusable nappies, which are better for the environment and produce significantly less waste. We have teamed-up with Newhaven-based business 'Cheeky Wipes' to offer £50 vouchers to Lewes district residents to help them make a swap to reusable nappies.

The vouchers can be used for any Cheeky Wipes products, including reusable wipes and sanitary products.

To find out more visit:

Cheeky Wipes vouchers

I have non-infectious medical waste, what can I do about the extra waste?

Please put all non-infectious medical waste (such as incontinence pants) in bags before putting them in your refuse bin. This will help prevent unpleasant smells.

If you need a bigger/extra refuse bin to accommodate this waste, please make a request here:

Request a larger refuse bin

I would struggle to put my bin out if it contained two weeks' worth of rubbish, what help is available?

We offer assisted collections to anybody who, due to medical or other reasons, is unable to move their bin to the kerbside for collection.

If we already provide you with assisted collections, you wouldn't need to do anything - your assisted collections would continue.

If you think you might benefit from an assisted collection you can apply here:

Request Assisted Collections

What does this mean for the team who empty my bin - are their jobs at risk?

We have involved staff and the trade union throughout the process, and they will continue to be involved if any changes are made.

There would be no compulsory redundancies as a result of these changes.

Will extra side waste be collected?

For refuse collections, side waste will not be collected unless prior agreement has been given by our collection teams. All waste must be contained within your refuse bin.

Recycling side waste will be collected if stored in appropriate recyclable containers.

Is there a charge for a new or additional bin?

No, new or replacement bins will be issued to residents free of charge.

How do I sign up for food waste collections?

Lewes District Council collects food waste separately from your household food waste caddy. It is collected on the same day as your refuse using our new electric vehicles. It is taken a local facility and composted into a soil conditioner for local farmers.

If you are not already using this free service, you can sign up to the service here:

You will be given an outdoor caddy, a small indoor caddy, a roll of compostable cornstarch caddy liners to get you started, and a set of instructions. Rolls of free liners can be picked up from Tourist Information Centres and other local outlets as and when you need to.

When should I put my bins out?

To find out your collection days or to download your collection calendar, visit:

Environment First website

If anything were to change with your collections, we would send an updated collection calendar in advance.

After we have emptied your bin, please ensure it is not on the path and store it within the boundaries of your property. This really helps people with mobility needs get around the district.

Where should I put my bins for collection?

Please ensure that your bins are put out at the edge of your property by 6am on the day of collection (collection times may vary).

Please note that food waste is collected in a separate vehicle so will be at a different time of day to your other bins.

How can I find out what I can recycle from home?

You can check the types of items which can be recycled using:

A-Z of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

If the item isn't included in our A-Z, please check other local recycling options at:

Recycle Now Recycling Locator

What if I have too much recycling to fit in my recycling bin?

If you squash and crush your recycling as much as possible and you still frequently run out of space in your recycling bin, you can request an additional here:

New and replacement bins

What sizes are the bins?

Our refuse and recycling bins come in 140 litre and 240 litre sizes. These containers are the same height, with the larger containers being wider to give them a greater volume.