New collection service autumn 2026
Since April 2026, all councils in England are legally required to provide weekly food waste collections. This forms part of the government's Simpler Recycling reforms, which aim to create a more consistent and easier to understand waste and recycling system nationwide.
What's new?
In Crawley, weekly food waste collections started on 28 September 2026 for all households with individual bins. Food waste collection for properties with shared bins will start next year. Find out more about the food waste collection service.
You can check on the delivery of your food waste bin, kitchen caddy and liners, and let us know if you think any items have been missed by completing the online form below:
What's changed?
At the same time, your general waste bin collection changed from weekly to fortnightly.
This means that from 28 September, we started collecting your general waste bin on the opposite week to your recycling bin, as well as your new food waste bin each week.
What's staying the same?
The fortnightly recycling service for your red top bin remains unchanged and operates on the opposite week to your general waste bin collection.
To help manage your waste effectively, please remember: clean, dry and loose is key to good recycling. Making full use of this, and other recycling services will also help reduce pressure on your general waste bin.
The garden waste collection, which is available by subscription, also continues as normal.
Weekly food waste collection for flats will roll out in 2027.
Properties with communal waste collection facilities will remain on the current weekly rubbish service without food waste collections. The new weekly food waste service will be rolled out to these properties in 2027.
As well as the legal requirement, data shows that around 44% of general waste in Crawley is food waste, and around 18% is recyclable material. Separating food waste collected from across the whole of West Sussex allows it to be recycled via anaerobic digestion into bio fertiliser and energy.
We encourage everyone to reduce their general waste as much as possible by sticking to the bin you currently have. However, if you meet certain criteria and already make full use of the fortnightly recycling and the new food waste collection service, then in special circumstances (for example larger households) you can apply for a larger bin. See change your bin for more information and to apply.
Stay up to date with the latest information about the new collection service on this page.
Find out more about the food waste collection service.
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