Stockton to change its bin collection system

From Tuesday 31 March, Stockton Council will begin weekly collections of recycling and food waste for all residents, while non-recyclable household waste will be collected fortnightly.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, cabinet member for environment, leisure, and culture at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “Due to changes in national legislation, financial pressures and our ongoing commitment to reduce our carbon emissions, we needed to change the way we collect and dispose of the Borough’s waste to ensure an efficient, effective and resilient service which is fit for the future.

“The Borough’s current recycling rate is the lowest in the Tees Valley.

“Introducing a weekly recycling collection, alongside a weekly food waste collection will hopefully encourage households to recycle more.

“The removal of food waste and other recyclable material allows residual household waste to be collected fortnightly.

“Although your refuse bin will be collected less often, you’ll have more frequent recycling options – including weekly food waste collections – so you can easily keep your bins manageable.

“Households who may benefit are also encouraged to subscribe to our garden waste collection service if they haven’t already.

“These changes to our waste and recycling service will help the Council move forward with our commitment to the environment, reduce costs, and, most importantly, continue to provide an outstanding service to our residents.

“We recognise this will mean a new routine for many people, and we are committed to working with residents and businesses to make the transition as smooth as possible.

“Since May last year our Resident Engagement Officers have been out and about in the local community to discuss these changes with residents and businesses, and this will continue in the coming months.

“You can also keep up to date with all the changes via our social media channels or by visiting www.stockton.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling-improvements.”

The changes are part of a national rollout, with all councils in England required to introduce weekly food waste collections by April 2026.

Households are being provided with two food waste caddies—one 5-litre indoor caddy and a 23-litre outdoor caddy—along with biodegradable liners and guidance on what can be recycled.

Recycling collections will also be weekly.

Residents will receive an extra weighted bag for plastics, cans, and cartons, in addition to the existing containers for paper, card, glass, and batteries.

The council will also introduce kerbside collections of clothes and shoes and small electrical and electronic equipment.

Garden waste collection is available on a subscription basis at £40 per year, with an additional bin available for £25.

This service runs fortnightly from March to November.

Residents are advised to check if their collection day is changing, either by letter or using the council’s online postcode checker at www.stockton.gov.uk/bin-collection-days.

Assisted collections will continue as before, and properties in back alley areas will still have weekly residual waste collection, along with recycling and food waste.

More details about the new system can be found at the Stockton Council website.