Council targets recycling boost with new collection proposals

While recycling rates in the district are currently good, the government has set a target of 55% for households, rising to 65% by 2035. Lewes district's current recycling rate, including food waste, is around 41%.

Central to the council's proposals is a shift to alternate weekly collections, with refuse (black sack waste) collected one week and dry recycling the next.  This approach is already in place in most authorities across the country, and in all neighbouring districts and boroughs in East Sussex. Weekly food waste collection will continue.

Councillor Wendy Maples, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Wellbeing, said:

"We have a lot to be proud of in Lewes district with some of the highest quality household recycling and being very early adopters of food waste recycling. I want to say a huge thank you to residents for getting us on a good footing. But we need to do more to reduce the waste that goes to the incinerator, and get better at recycling more stuff."

Alternate weekly collections have proved effective in increasing the amount of household dry recycling and food waste collected, meaning less waste is sent for incineration. Under the new model it will also cut carbon emissions through fewer collection vehicle journeys.

Councillor Maples said:

"Although we are ahead of legislation - weekly food waste collections become mandatory in 2026 - the increased national focus on food waste recycling will be an added driver for improving our performance in this area.  

"Just under a quarter of households in the district contribute to our separate food waste collections and currently about 38% of the average refuse bin is made up of food waste — which could have been turned into compost. A further 37% is comprised of other recyclable items, like cans, bottles and cardboard.

"The food waste we collect doesn't go to the incinerator and is instead turned into compost, which is spread on local fields to help grow food. It's  a win-win."

Households are being invited to share their feedback on the proposals through an online survey. 

Councillor Maples added:

"I encourage residents to take part in the survey and help us make sure we implement changes in the best way possible. There are several options available to residents which will help them prepare for the changes, such as requesting food waste collections and a free kitchen and kerbside food waste caddy, a bigger/extra recycling bin or an assisted collection."

Recognising the importance of hardcopy calendars for convenience, before any changes are made, residents will be sent updated collection calendars.

To find out more about the changes and to complete the feedback survey, visit:

Improving recycling in Lewes district

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