Wiltshire Council Propose Three Weekly Black Bin Collections

Wiltshire Council's cabinet has agreed to look at changing to three-weekly black bin collection as part of a drive to cut costs and improve the sustainability of waste and recycling services, as part of a range of changes.

Wiltshire Council outlined a series of proposals aimed at ensuring waste and recycling services remain financially sustainable, environmentally responsible, and are fully aligned with national statutory changes coming into effect. The plans aim to deliver long-term value for taxpayers, whilst reducing carbon emissions and supporting better recycling rates.   

Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste at Wiltshire Council, said: "This isn’t just about saving money. It’s about shaping how we manage waste for generations to come. The sector is changing fast, and we’re determined to lead the way. With several contracts ending in 2026, we have a rare chance to redesign services so they’re smarter, greener, and future-ready. Our plans will bring flexibility, innovation, and real value for residents, while positioning Wiltshire as a national example of sustainability. 

“Closing the Household Recycling Centres at Purton and Lower Compton is a difficult decision, but the high costs and essential upgrades make it unavoidable. We’re accelerating plans for a new site in the north within the next three to four years and hope to share more details soon." 

Key proposals agreed:  

• Maintain the current kerbside system for dry recycling, as improvements at the Material Recovery Facility will boost recycling rates without changing household collections. This avoids extra containers, keeps things simple for residents, and saves unnecessary costs. Residents will be provided with extra single-use bags for flexible plastics to go into their existing recycling bin 
• To seek public feedback in early 2026 on moving household waste collections from fortnightly to three-weekly in 2027. With food waste and plastic bags removed, black bin waste will drop significantly, cutting carbon, reducing costs, and boosting recycling
• Introduce a phased rollout of a Household Recycling Centre (HRC) booking system. This is to help reduce queues, cut emissions, and make visits easier and quicker for everyone, especially at sites where residents have told the council congestion can be a significant problem and is causing safety issues on the highways. The council will use the feedback on how the HRCs are used currently to help shape the future plans
• Closing the Household Recycling Centres at Purton and Lower Compton in late summer 2026. The council will share plans on a new site in the North of the county in due course
• Kerbside collection services: Establishing a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) partnership to provide kerbside waste and recycling collections when the current contract ends in July 2026
• Material Recovery Facility: Forming a LATCo partnership to manage Material Recovery Facility operations following the end of the existing contract in July 2026
• Transfer stations: Awarded a contract extension for the operation of two provider-owned transfer stations, the disposal of non-recyclable residual waste, the management of the household recycling centres and the composting of garden waste. This contract extension will run until 30 June 2033
• Council-owned household recycling centres: The contract for the management of these facilities will be extended until 30 July 2034
• Green waste composting and residual waste disposal: Contracts for the disposal of non-recyclable residual waste and the composting of garden waste will be extended and run until 30 July 2034
• Variation in contract for the processing of materials via the Mechanical Biological Treatment facility in Westbury. This will ensure provision is in place for off-site Anaerobic Digestion of separately collected food waste and using alternative residual waste treatment processes to recover energy from the remaining waste

Wiltshire Council remains committed to delivering waste and recycling services that are both environmentally responsible and financially sustainable. By acting now, the council is preparing for future statutory requirements, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring long-term value for residents. These proposals mark an important step toward a cleaner, greener Wiltshire.