Small on waste, big on recycling – new slimmer waste bins to boost recycling
Posted on: 18 September 2025
From next month (October 2025), Tewkesbury Borough Council is introducing slimmer waste bins for new build properties and replacements, to encourage greater recycling and reduce overall waste.
The current 180-litre green waste bins will no longer be available, with new slimmer 140-litre bins delivered to new households alongside the 240-litre recycling bin and food caddies.
Cllr Murray Stewart, Lead Member for Environmental Services, said: “Our blue recycling bins are widely used by many residents, which is fantastic – but it’s surprising how much recyclable material still ends up in green waste bins. Around a quarter is food, and nearly another quarter is plastic, paper, and card – all of which could be recycled.
“To tackle this, we’re making a few changes. We’re introducing a slimmer general waste bin to encourage smarter sorting, and reminding residents that they can ask for an extra blue co-mingling recycling bin or food caddies – free of charge.
“It’s a small change with big potential. By helping residents recycle more and waste less, we’re supporting everyday choices that protect our environment. By preventing waste, reusing what we can, and recycling more, we save valuable resources and cut harmful emissions.”
New developments and replacement bins will receive the slimmer 140-litre bin size, rather than a mass recall of all existing bins. Bin collection frequency will remain the same.
Residents are encouraged to check either the council’s waste and recycling webpages or the Waste Wizard website to check what can and cannot be recycled.
The council remains committed to taking action to address the causes of climate change across the borough and to do all within its power to make Tewkesbury Borough carbon neutral by 2030.
