90% of Bromsgrove District’s bins are to be replaced this autumn - with residents advised to continue using their current bin until it’s been emptied and collected.
The rollout follows the retirement of the district’s old ‘diamond lift’ bins, which feature a large pocket on the outside. Bromsgrove had become the last council in the country still using this style, making it impossible to source compatible vehicles and parts.
To maintain reliable waste collections councillors approved the switch to the UK-standard ‘comb lift’ bins earlier this year.
Deliveries of the new bins will take place between now and December, to most of the district’s over 30,000 households.
The new bins will be the same 240-litre size, with a grey body and coloured lids: green for recycling, grey for refuse, and brown for garden waste subscribers. Garden waste bins will be replaced later, ahead of the 2026 season.
Cllr Peter Whittaker, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, said:
“Thanks to everyone for bearing with us while we swap out around 90% of our bins. It will save taxpayers money, by making the service simpler and more efficient. We squeezed all the value we could out of the old ones, but times move on. This change will solve the problems we faced replacing vehicles and machinery.
“I would just urge anyone with the old-style bin to remember to leave it out for longer on bin day, as after being emptied it could be collected up to five o’clock.”
Residents don’t need to take any action to get a replacement, as old bins will be replaced automatically. If a new bin arrives before the old one is removed, continue using the old one, and on bin day, leave it out to be emptied and don’t take it back in. The council will aim to take it away that day, leaving just the new bin. If it’s not taken by 5pm, bring it back in, and try again next bin day.
Assisted collections will continue as normal throughout.
The old bins will be recycled and repurposed into new ones.
For more information and detailed FAQs, visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/NewBins2025
