Coalville area residents will begin to get a new recycling containers for household waste starting 18 months from now.

A two-bin recycling system received approval by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) Cabinet members on Tuesday.

Subject to further approval of funding for vehicles and bins, the new system for collecting recycling will come into place in stages between autumn 2026 and autumn 2027.

One bin will be used to collect plastic, glass and metal, while the other will be used for paper and cardboard.

The total cost come in at just under £6.5million.

New vehicles and wheelie bins will be bought before the new system is rolled out to households, costing £4.5 million for vehicles, £1.7 million for bins and around £200,000 for other equipment.

Subject to approval, the council says the initial cost will likely be funded using the its business rates reserves, which have built up over a number of years and can be used to fund one-off costs like this

NWLDC is currently the second top recycling council in Leicestershire, with a recycling rate of 44.7 per cent in 2023/24. 

The council hopes that a simpler recycling system will further improve this rate, reducing the amount of waste that is sent for incineration.

In early 2024, the council ran a survey asking local people what they would prefer.

Two bins came out on top with 61 per cent of almost 20,000 respondents choosing this as their preferred option.

In November 2024, the Government confirmed the requirements for Simpler Recycling across the country, with councils required to collect recyclables using four different containers – one for paper and cardboard, one for plastic, metal and glass, one for food waste (mixed with garden waste if appropriate) and one for landfill waste that cannot be recycled.

The NWLDC survey showed that many residents would support the idea of one bin for all recycling – known as a 'co-mingled recycling bin'. 

However, the council adds that the chosen twin bin option will mean that valuable cardboard and paper is kept separate from cans, tins, plastics and glass, reducing the risk of contaminated bins and will comply with Government guidance.

Paul Sanders, Head of Community Services at NWLDC, said: "We've taken a lot on board since we started our review of waste services, including lots of public feedback and changing Government guidance, and I'm pleased that we're now able to give certainty on what our recycling collections will look like in the near future.

Residents were given a choice of three containers - with two-bin option on the left coming out on top. Photo: NWLDC

"The two-bin system is the best of both worlds. It gives local people a simpler recycling system, without the need for lots of different containers, whilst also keeping cardboard and paper separate. 

"This maintains the quality of the recycling and protects a crucial income stream for us, as the money we get from our recycling goes into valuable council services.

"With the decision on the system made, we now need approval of full Council for the money to buy vehicles and bins before working on the contracts for those things and putting plans in place to roll out the new collection system for households.

"The plan is to get the first wave of recycling bins out to homes in autumn 2026, with four waves then spread out over 12 months to autumn 2027."

The portfolio holder for Communities and Climate Change, Cllr Michael Wyatt, said: "It's brilliant news we are now on our way to scrapping the current system which is not fit for purpose. 

"I'm determined to deliver a cleaner and greener scheme which no longer pollutes and litters our streets.

"The twin-bin wheelie system meets all the legal requirements and addresses the need to recycle more."