New bin changes on the cards for Lancaster
The changes are part of a new government plan called "Simpler Recycling
Last updated 19th May 2025
Lancaster City Council is looking at major changes to how rubbish and recycling are collected – including weekly food waste collections and new wheelie bins for homes.
The changes are part of a new government plan called "Simpler Recycling", which aims to make waste collections the same across the country. The goal is to send less to landfill and recycle more things like paper, tins, glass, plastic, and food waste.
Food waste can also be turned into energy or used as fertiliser for farms and gardens.
The council's cabinet will meet soon to decide how to roll out the new system in the Lancaster district. One idea is to replace the current recycling boxes with bigger wheelie bins, making it easier for people to store recyclables and helping reduce litter on the streets.
If the plan is approved, recycling would be collected every three weeks instead of every two – but the larger bins mean there will be more room for recyclables like plastic, glass, cardboard and paper.
General waste collections could also move to every three weeks, but food waste would be picked up every week, which the council hopes will lead to less rubbish overall.
Paul Hart, cabinet member for environmental services, said:
"I know these are big changes, but other councils that have already done this are seeing less waste and more recycling. That’s what we want to see in Lancaster too."
The council has been given £1.46 million from the government to help get the new system up and running. The money will go towards new collection vehicles and food waste caddies for households.