New purple lidded glass recycling bins rolling out across Rushcliffe
Last updated: 4/9/2025
Thousands of new purple lidded glass recycling bins are being rolled out and delivered to Rushcliffe residents so they can continue to play their part and drive up the Borough’s recycling rate even further.
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) are working with contractors to distribute over 55,000 of the new bins to households. The kerbside collections will mean a simpler method to recycle used glass into new glass bottles and jars.
However, the new kerbside collection service will not start until December 1 so in the meantime residents are encouraged to continue to use RBC’s extensive glass bring site network for any waste glass jars and bottles.
Under this new service, the glass collected can be mixed of any colour thanks to significant improvements in separation technology, which now allows glass to be colour sorted at the reprocessor, saving energy and resources.
The new 180 litre bins, smaller than existing grey and blue bins, are being delivered to residents’ properties and more information on the changes and a list of frequently asked questions are available at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/simplerrecycling.
Existing bring and recycle bank sites for glass and Tetra Pak items will also be reviewed and scaled back in January 2026 as it is appreciated most residents will want to recycle their glass from home meaning trips to the recycling sites will no longer be necessary.
It’s all part of Simpler Recycling changes that are part of central government’s plans announced in 2023 which intends to ensure all homes in England recycle the same materials from the kerbside.
Collections starting from December, will be detailed on the new collection calendar the authority will distribute later in the year. The aim will be to collect on same day as residents’ current grey bin collections on every sixth week.
Further work will be undertaken on the best collection options for communal bin stores and flat complexes where different receptacles for glass and other recyclables may be more appropriate.
Leader of RBC Cllr Neil Clarke MBE said: “This is the first week of the roll out of the glass recycling bins to households across the Borough and it’s been heartening to see so many residents welcome their arrival. Our new service will start from December 1, and our waste teams will collect the bins every six weeks for recycling into new glass products.
“It’s all part of the national simpler recycling project and this will enable everybody in Rushcliffe to recycle their glass in a dedicated separate bin.
“If you haven’t received it already, please look out for your new bins this autumn so you can play your part conveniently at home to drive up recycling rates even further.”
RBC’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis added: “This is an important service change that affects everyone and aims to standardise what materials are collected for recycling across all local authorities to further improve recycling rates locally and nationally.
“You will be able to put clean and empty glass bottles and jars of any colour into your new bin, including food jars, drink bottles, toiletry jars, perfume bottles, and feed diffuser bottles.
“All the glass collected is then sent to a reprocessor, where it is colour separated by machines and recycled back into glass bottles and jars.
“Thank you to everyone who already utilise our bring and recycle banks, which have helped Rushcliffe have the best recycling rate in the county.”