Co-Mingled Recycling FAQs
We are progressing towards a ‘co-mingled’ collection service.
This will see all dry recycling materials being placed into one bin.
Households in Ballymena and Carrickfergus will receive a new 240L blue bin.
Larne area residents will continue to use the blue bin they have.
When?
Q. When will the new dry recycling collection model be rolled out?
A. The new collection model is expected to be fully rolled out in 2026/27.
There will be further communications on this closer to the time.
What?
Q. What is waste harmonisation?
A. Waste harmonisation refers to the process of creating consistent practices for waste management and recycling across the borough.
It involves aligning collections to improve efficiency and effectiveness to reduce waste and increase recycling rates.
Mid and East Antrim residents will see a standardised way in which their recycling is collected from the kerbside.
Q. What is the new dry recycling collection model?
A. We have opted for a ‘co-mingled’ collection model.
This means all households will be provided with a 240 litre blue bin in which residents can place all accepted dry recycling material.
There will be no need to segregate out materials.
Q. Are there any materials I still need to separate?
A. There are no planned changes to your brown or black bin collections.
Food and garden waste should continue to be placed in your brown bin.
Why?
Q. Why should I recycle?
A. Recycling our waste is a legal requirement and saves ratepayers money.
It is also good for the environment and helps make our borough a place to be proud of.
Material collected in the new blue bin will be recycled into new products.
This helps to reduce the demand for raw materials that are often environmentally damaging to obtain, leading to deforestation and mining pollution.
Recycling companies also provide local employment and investment in Northern Ireland.
Q. Why do recycling collections need to be harmonised?
A. Currently we operate two collection models – kerbside boxes in Ballymena and Carrickfergus and a blue bin model in Larne.
Through the draft Circular Economy Strategy, councils across Northern Ireland were set ambitious recycling targets of 55% recycling by 2025, yet in 2023/24 Mid & East Antrim achieved a recycling rate of 50.67%.
In addition to this, the Strategy has set a 60% recycling target by 2040, 65% by 2035.
The aim of standardising the collection process and adopting an easier and simpler recycling model is to lead to greater participation from residents and improved recycling performance.
How? Blue Bin Dry Recycling Collections
Q. What recycling materials can I place in the new blue bin collection model?
A. All currently accepted dry recycling materials will continue to be accepted in a co-mingled model including paper (including plain envelopes), cardboard, plastic, food and drink aluminium and steel cans, aerosols, clean foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays and juice cartons and glass.
For a full list of what is accepted and what is not, visit our Blue Bin information page.
Costs
Q. What about the cost to recycle this blue bin material?
A. It is more cost effective to recycle than to place these materials into your black bin.
Recycling is a service covered in householder’s rates.
The blue bin will be provided free of charge.
Seeking advice and information
Q. How will I know when the new collection model will go live?
A. We will be delivering a dedicated communications campaign on the run up to the planned service change, and during the initial roll out.
This website will also be updated to inform residents about the new collection model.
Residents can also download the Bin-ovation app which is an easy go-to platform to find this information.
Larne area questions
Q. I already have a blue bin, what will these changes mean for me?
A. Larne area residents will be able to continue using the blue bins they currently have.
The only change in the service (once it goes live) is that glass can be placed into the main body of the blue bin.
Residents will no longer need to use the glass caddy insert.
Ballymena/Carrickfergus area questions
Q. What will happen to my existing kerbside boxes?
A. Ballymena and Carrickfergus residents will be able to keep their boxes, however once the new collection model is rolled out, boxes will no longer be used for recycling purposes.