Title

DISTRICT COUNCILS' NETWORK

Waste collection plans to cost £680m a year, councils warn

Government plans to standardise kerbside waste collections will cost £680m a year, district councils have warned.

Government plans to standardise kerbside waste collections will cost £680m a year, district councils have warned today.

The District Councils' Network (DCN) said the proposals would create ‘chaos and confusion' as households could need as many as seven bins each.

DCN said there would be four separate bins for dry recyclables, as well as bins for garden waste, food waste and non-recyclables.

Council leaders also said the reforms would increase the number of collection vehicles on the roads.

DCN's lead member for enhancing quality of life, Cllr Dan Humphreys, said: ‘These proposals are poorly thought out, and will create costly chaos and confusion up and down the country.

'Rather than standardise waste collections, local communities should be able to decide what works best for them.

'What works for residents in villages and rural areas won't work for people living in flats in a busy town or city.'

Earlier this month, chief executives urged the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to identify and fund all additional costs.

DISTRICT COUNCILS' NETWORK

The local government reorganisation reset changes the recruitment brief

By Liam Young | 09 September 2026

Liam Young examines how councils can reset recruitment, retain talent and rebuild confidence after local government reorganisation uncertainty.

DISTRICT COUNCILS' NETWORK

New EFS risk looms

By Rob Whiteman | 08 September 2026

With a wide spread of financial pressures impacting councils, and the specifics of reorganisation adding to those challenges, Rob Whiteman says that committe...

DISTRICT COUNCILS' NETWORK

Councils bulk buying housing from developers to ease pressures

By Paul Marinko | 03 September 2026

With the housing market stalled, councils are bulk buying homes intended for private sale at huge discounts in a bid to ease their temporary accommodation co...

DISTRICT COUNCILS' NETWORK

Quango conundrum

By Ann McGauran | 27 August 2026

Rewiring the State promises a serious look at whether arm’s-length bodies’ powers and funding should be handed to local leaders or returned to ministerial d...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman