The West Northamptonshire Council cabinet has approved plans to shift household bin collections to a three-weekly schedule starting in the spring of 2027. This decision will extend the current waste management system, known as the 1, 2, 3+ model, to homes across Northampton and South Northamptonshire.
Under the new arrangements, general waste in black bins will be collected every three weeks, while recycling will continue to be collected every fortnight. Food waste collections will remain a weekly service. The council confirmed that households that currently use communal bins or those that use sacks for their waste, such as many terraced properties, will not be affected by this change and will continue to receive weekly collections.
The council indicated that this move aims to create a consistent waste collection system throughout the region, noting that the Daventry area has successfully operated under the same three-weekly schedule for black bins since 2018. According to the 1, 2, 3+ system information page, while the change will not lead to a reduction in Council Tax, it is intended to help prevent future cost increases for waste collection services.
The decision follows significant public debate, including a petition signed by nearly 2,000 residents opposing the transition. In response to concerns, the council stated that support measures will be made available for families with babies, larger households, and residents with specific medical needs. This support may include the provision of larger black bins for eligible households and increased recycling capacity.
Looking ahead, the council intends to bring waste collection and cleansing services under its own direct management starting in June 2028. This transition will mark the end of existing contracts with private waste management companies, including Veolia in Northampton and the Norse joint venture in the Daventry area.
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