Residents encouraged to check new collections calendar for three-weekly collections
Lancaster City Council is reminding residents that the frequency of household waste collections is changing later this month.
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 adjustments to the council’s household waste service that started in September 2025, that involves boosting recycling capacity by replacing recycling boxes with wheelie bins and implementing weekly food waste collections.
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% by 2035 and half all residual waste sent to landfill or incineration by 2042.
Lancaster City Council currently collects around 9,000 tonnes of recycling per annum and has a recycling rate of 36%. 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%) could have been recycled — over a quarter (28%) of this was food waste.
Councillor Paul Hart, Cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: “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.
“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.
To find out more about this support and view a list of frequently asked questions, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/three-weekly 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.
Last updated: 03 March 2026