We are phasing out clear recycling sacks and introducing ‘Reusable Recycling Bags’ to most households. For operational reasons, we are unable to include properties using communal bins, flats and some housholds located away from the road. We are writing to households who will not receive a reusable recycling bag.
You’ll receive your new recycling bag between Monday 23 September 2024 and the end of the year, and you can use it straightaway.
Please continue to recycle in clear sacks until you receive your new bag.
Your new ‘Reusable Recycling Bag
Each bag is weighted, waterproof and resealable. When full, it is approximately 600mm (2 feet) wide by 600mm (2 feet) deep and 900mm (3 feet) high. It holds about three full clear sacks worth of recycling (about 190 litres of material). It also folds flat for easy storage.
When you receive your new bag, you should write your house number or name in the space provided with a permanent marker.
The bag is tried and tested and is in use by 130 councils across the country.
How to use your new bag
Please place all your recyclable items, including paper, cardboard, cans, foil and plastic bottles, pots and trays, directly into your recycling bag, and leave it outside on your normal collection day by 7am.
To keep your bag clean, and to support effective recycling, all recyclable items should be clean and dry.
Why we're introducing the new bags
Recycling rates in the Sevenoaks District are low and we want to encourage everyone to recycle more of their waste. Our own trials have found households recycle more of their waste using this bag. With your new large recycling bag, we hope you will do this and increase our recycling rates.
Introducing the reusable bag will help the environment. It will save us driving thousands of miles every year to deliver clear sacks to every household. It also cuts down on single use plastics. The change will save over £200,000 a year, helping us to protect our frontline services and keeping Council Tax rises down.
Lost or damaged Reusable Recycling Sacks
Further information
Please see our Questions and Answers.