The final countdown: last two weeks of old burgundy bin collections begin

More than 60,000 old burgundy recycling bins have now been collected across North Lincolnshire as the rollout of the new simpler recycling system enters its final phase.

Some 70,000 new, bigger bins have been delivered, with 5,000 old bins collected in Burton and Winterton last weekend alone.

Residents are asked to continue leaving old bins out and accessible until they are collected.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We’re now into the final countdown on one of the biggest changes to waste and recycling we’ve ever carried out.

“Delivering 70,000 new bins, collecting tens of thousands of old ones and keeping weekly collections running throughout has been a huge undertaking and I want to thank residents for sticking with us while we get the last few collected.

“The new system makes recycling simpler for residents and supports weekly garden waste collections at no extra cost – something many councils charge extra for.”

The new simpler recycling system allows residents to recycle paper, cardboard, plastics, cans and glass together in one larger burgundy bin, alongside weekly garden and food waste collections.

Recycling collected in burgundy bins is taken to a material recovery facility, where screens, magnets and optical scanners separate paper, cardboard, plastics, metals and glass into clean streams ready for reuse.

Garden and food waste collected in brown bins is taken to a specialist composting facility, where it is naturally broken down in controlled conditions to create high-quality compost used in agriculture, landscaping and soil improvement.

Cllr Neil Poole, deputy leader and cabinet member for waste, said: “Crews have been working flat out over recent months and we’re now firmly on the home straight.

“We know there have been frustrations at times, but collections are moving quickly and residents across North Lincolnshire are now fully switched over to the new recycling system a year ahead of schedule.

“It’s also been brilliant to see some of the old bins being reused by community groups, football clubs and residents.”