Sandwell Council is gearing up to deliver brand new blue recycling bags to households across the borough from Monday 26 August, ahead of upcoming bin collection changes starting 15 September 2025.

The council is introducing a new dual-stream recycling service and alternate weekly collections to improve recycling quality and comply with the UK Government’s Simpler Recycling regulations, which will help improve recycling rates and reduce disposal costs.

What’s changing?

To support the new system, residents must separate paper, cardboard and cartons from other recyclable items.

Your new recycling (blue) bag will be delivered directly to your doorstep over a two-week period starting from 26 August.

From 15 September, households must use:

  • New recycling (blue) bag for paper, newspapers, magazines, cardboard and cartons
  • Recycling (blue lid) bin for glass bottles and jars, food tins and drink cans, plastic bottles, tubs and trays, empty aerosols and foil

The new blue recycling bag is:

  • Water-resistant
  • Weighted to help stop it blowing away
  • Durable and reusable
  • Clearly marked to help residents recycle correctly

Some residents will also have a new bin day starting from 15 September. Residents can find their new collection day on the calendar sent out with the leaflet on 19 August or check the online bin day finder for collection day

Councillor Keith Allcock, Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways said: “Separating paper, cardboard and cartons from your other recycling is a key part of the new Simpler Recycling regulations from government.

“To help with this, we’re delivering the new blue recycling bag straight to your doorstep. Please keep a lookout for your bag – it will be with you by early September.

“Now is the time to start preparing and get into the habit of separating your paper, cardboard and cartons from your glass, tins and plastics. These changes will help us recycle more and improve the quality of the materials we collect.”

Sam Dalton, Contract Manager for Serco said:  “The extra capacity that the blue bag will provide alongside the existing recycling (blue lid) bin, will help to drive up recycling rates within the borough and give the residents of Sandwell that little bit more space to recycle efficiently.

“We are proud to work in partnership with Sandwell Council and to support residents with these collection service changes.”

Victoria Williams, resident and Waste and Recycling Ambassador from Tipton said: “I wanted to help the borough be cleaner and greener, not just for me but for the next generation, our children and the local community, so I jumped at the chance to be a Waste Ambassador.

“I talk to people in my neighbourhood about the changes to bin collections and why recycling is so important. People have a lot of questions, and I help to remove any worries about putting things in the wrong bin or missing collections. I feed what I hear back to the Council so they can make improvements.

“You get proper training, a certificate, and a badge to wear!  I’d urge anyone who lives or works in Sandwell and wants to help create a sustainable future to get involved.”

Apply to be a waste and recycling ambassador now

Important reminders

  • If you live in a household that uses a large, shared recycling bin, there will be no changes to your bin collections in 2025
  • If you don’t receive your new recycling (blue) bag by 9 September let us know. Visit our website or call the council on 0121 368 1177
  • To save space in your bins and bags - flatten, squash and crush items before recycling
  • On recycling week, place your new recycling (blue) bag next to your recycling (blue lid) bin at the kerbside

Watch the explainer video

"About your new recycling blue bag" video

Learn more about Sandwell’s bin collection changes

Published: Friday, 22nd August 2025