Middlesbrough Council will change how household rubbish and recycling are collected in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, by introducing a new red-lid bin and kitchen caddies. This move, announced on February 13, 2026, is part of a national plan to increase recycling and lower the impact of waste on the environment.
From March 2, 2026, the council will start delivering a 240-litre red-lid bin to homes for paper and cardboard, while homes without wheeled bins will receive red sacks. Families will also receive two food waste containers, including a small five-litre caddy for the kitchen and a larger 23-litre caddy to be kept outside. All new bins and caddies should be delivered to every home in the borough by the end of June 2026.
Once the new weekly food collections begin this summer, residents will no longer be allowed to put paper or cardboard in their blue-lid bins. The Middlesbrough Council says that food waste currently makes up about one-third of what people throw away in their general rubbish. By separating these items, the town aims to reduce harmful gases that are produced when food rots in landfill sites.
The council is legally required to collect food waste separately to help improve recycling rates across the country. Residents are encouraged to follow the new rules closely to avoid missed collections or potential fines for putting the wrong items in their bins.
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