Bins in the Lancaster and Morecambe District will be collected on a cycle of every three weeks instead of two from Monday, March 30.
Collections of non-recyclable waste (grey bins), plastics, glass and cans (red bins), and paper and cardboard (yellow bins), will change from a fortnightly cycle to every three weeks — with one bin emptied each week on the same day.
This forms part of a wider range of changes to Lancaster City Council’s household waste service that started in September 2025.
Smaller recycling boxes have been replaced with wheelie bins and weekly food waste collections are being reintroduced, with more caddies being delivered to households this month.
These changes were prompted by the Government’s Simpler Recycling policy that aims to increase local authority recycling rates in England to at least 65 per cent by 2035 and half all residual waste sent to landfill or incineration by 2042.
Lancaster City Council said it currently collects around 9,000 tonnes of recycling per annum and has a recycling rate of 36 per cent.
In comparison, the district’s current residual waste collection is around 32,000 tonnes, equating to around 538kg per household.
Prior to the service changes, an analysis of the waste households across the district put in their grey bins found that almost three quarters (71 per cent) could have been recycled — over a quarter (28 per cent) of this was food waste.
“Since we replaced recycling boxes with wheelie bins we have started to see an improvement in recycling rates across the district and expect to see a substantial reduction in residual waste now that food waste collections have started," said Councillor Paul Hart, cabinet member for Environmental Services.
“However, to meet Government targets, we must do more, which is why - like many other councils - we are transitioning to a three-weekly collection schedule as evidence shows this leads to greater recycling participation.
“To help residents navigate this change and recycle more, all households will receive a collections calendar and a waste and recycling information booklet in their food waste pack. I’d encourage everyone to look at these so you don’t miss a collection and have the most up-to-date information on what you can recycle and where.”
Residents who may experience difficulties with the new three-weekly bin collections due to medical needs, children in disposable nappies, or a larger household, may qualify for additional waste capacity.
To assess eligibility for this service, waste officers will visit properties to complete a waste audit.
Changes to waste collection across the Lancaster and Morecambe District got under way last year.
It began with the replacement of 55 litre recycling boxes with 240 litre wheelie bins for for glass, plastic and tins; and cardboard and paper
The second phase was the return of weekly food recycling, with residents being given a new seven-litre kitchen caddy and a 23-litre external food waste bin - or communal bin where appropriate - to recycle food separately from their other waste.
To find out more about this support and view a list of frequently asked questions, visit HERE or call customer services on 01524 582491.
The frequency of garden waste, food waste, and clinical waste collections will remain the same and assisted collections will continue.
Residents are encouraged to check the new collections calendar for three-weekly collections dates.
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