Residents in Middlesbrough will soon have access to updated bin collection calendars, with new schedules for weekly food waste and fortnightly paper and cardboard pick-ups becoming available on 18 June 2026. These changes are part of a wider effort by Middlesbrough Council to improve local recycling rates, which are currently among the lowest in England.
To support the new collection system, households are receiving a new 240-litre wheelie bin with a red lid for paper and cardboard. Residents will also receive two food waste caddies: a 5-litre container for kitchen use and a 23-litre bin for outdoor storage. The council began delivering these new containers in March 2026 and expects to finish distributing them to all properties by the end of June.
The adjustments are being implemented to meet national standards set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. While government policy required local authorities to begin these services by 31 March 2026, Middlesbrough is launching its food waste collections this summer to allow time for the purchase of a new fleet of collection vehicles.
Cllr Peter Gavigan, the council’s Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, and Geoff Field, Director of Environment and Community Services, are leading the project. Cllr Gavigan described the update as one of the most significant changes to local waste and recycling services in many years and noted that the council is working to ensure a smooth transition for residents.
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