Residents in Epping Forest will see significant changes to their waste and recycling services from March 2026, including the introduction of new weekly food waste collections and a paid subscription system for garden waste.

The council says the changes are necessary to manage rising costs and bring the district in line with the rest of Essex.

🏡 What’s Changing From March 2026

From 31 March 2026, all households will receive two new brown containers:

• A kitchen caddy for daily food waste

• A larger kerbside caddy for weekly collection

Food waste will no longer be accepted in the existing green-lidded wheelie bins.

The green-lidded bin will be used exclusively for garden waste and will only be collected for households that join the new subscription service. Garden waste collections will remain fortnightly for subscribers.

Residents will begin receiving the new caddies from February 2026, along with guidance on how to use them.

🗣️ Council Plans, Subscriptions and Permits

The new paid subscription service for garden waste opens on 1 February 2026.There is no setup fee, and current green-lidded bins will continue to be used.

Proposed annual charge:

• £60 per year for one green-lidded bin

• Residents may add up to three extra bins at a lower fee per bin

Those who opt in will receive a permit with their address and unique reference number printed on it. Garden waste bins without a permit will not be collected.

The council confirmed that subscribing residents will retain their usual collection day.

Councillor Ray Balcombe thanked residents for their patience, noting that although the change is not ideal, it is needed to help manage budget pressures and prepare for future restructuring of Essex councils under local government reform.

📜 Why the Changes Are Being Introduced

Epping Forest District Council says the cost of disposing of co-mingled food and garden waste is becoming unsustainable.

According to Councillor Balcombe, separating food and garden waste brings local services in line with the rest of Essex, where every other council already operates separate collections.

The council argues the subscription model is fairer because only residents who use the garden waste service will pay for it, rather than the costs being spread across all taxpayers through Council Tax increases.

Waste disposal rules are also changing nationally, putting further pressure on local authorities to update collection systems.

⚖️ The Wider Debate & Opposing Viewpoints

Waste charges and subscription models continue to divide opinion across Essex.

Some residents believe it is reasonable for households generating garden waste to cover the costs directly, especially during a time of rising council expenses. They argue this approach keeps general Council Tax lower and ensures services are used more efficiently.

Others feel that essential waste services should remain universally available and worry that subscription costs could create inequality between households, or lead to increased fly-tipping and overfilled bins.

There is also broader debate about whether councils should be investing more in recycling infrastructure or seeking central government support to avoid passing costs onto residents.

💬 Your Thoughts: Is a Paid Garden Waste Service the Right Move?

Do you think it’s fair for garden waste collections to become a paid service, or should waste disposal remain part of standard Council Tax?

Will this improve recycling, or put extra pressure on households already facing rising costs?

Share your views below your feedback helps shape the conversation across Essex.