Welcome to Suffolk Recycles Autumn newsletter!In this issue we talk about the Eco Club initiative in West Suffolk, give an update on the development of the new Ipswich recycling centre, remind you about the importance of re-use after this spooky season, and more.
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Thank you, Suffolk!
It has been 5 months since Better Recycling was introduced across Suffolk and we wanted to say a massive thank you to Suffolk residents.
From June to September 2026, Suffolk residents recycled a whopping 8,728 tonnes of food waste which is the same weight as 730 double decker buses!
Households across the county are recycling more than ever before and engagement with the new services is helping Suffolk reduce our waste and make better use of valuable resources.
Head to our website for more information about which items go in which bin. There is a range of supporting information in different formats including an easy read leaflet, leaflets translated into 10 different languages and an audio description file.
Recycle your electricals this Autumn
If it has a plug, battery or cable, don’t put it in any of your household recycling or rubbish bins.
Electrical items, batteries and vapes are a leading cause of fires (both at recycling facilities and inside collection vehicles) as they becomes damaged during the waste collection and disposal process, releasing chemicals and posing a significant risk to people, vehicles and machinery.
The good news is that recycling them is easy. Please take unwanted electrical items, batteries and vapes to your local Recycling Centre or use participating retailer take-back schemes.
Find your nearest recycling point using this handy postcode locator.
For more information, visit our battery and electricals recycling pages.
Words Matter: Respect our Frontline Recycling Centre Staff
Recycling centre staff play an important role in helping residents recycle and dispose of their waste safely and correctly. However, there has been a significant increase in reports of verbal abuse, aggressive behaviour and threatening conduct towards staff at our recycling centres.
We understand that some residents may feel frustrated by site rules, booking arrangements, or changes to our services, but these are in place to keep everyone safe and to ensure the smooth running of each site.
Abuse and threatening behaviour will not be tolerated. Staff deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect while carrying out their duties.
Where sufficient evidence is available, formal action may be taken against individuals responsible for such behaviour.
Please remember that there is a real person behind the uniform - they deserve to feel safe while they work.
Bring your unwanted items back from the dead
Halloween is the season of scares, but people of Suffolk have been warned about one horror they may not have thought about: the cauldron of costumes, decorations and spooky accessories heading for the bin now we're in November.
FCC Environment, which in partnership with Suffolk County Council runs Suffolk's recycling centres, is urging residents to remove and recycle batteries from Halloween decorations and accessories including LED lanterns, illuminated pumpkins and light-up costumes.
From plastic skeletons and cobwebs to witches’ hats and fancy dress, plenty of Halloween items can live to scare another day! Stashing decorations away for next year, swapping costumes with friends or donating unwanted items to charity can give them a second life and save you money too.
Carved a pumpkin? Don't forget that now that the festivities are done, they belong in your food waste caddy (cut into pieces, if necessary). But if yours is still good to eat, Food Savvy has plenty of ideas and inspiration how to use it up instead of binning it.
Keeping Suffolk Safe: Trusted Traders
Choosing the right tradesperson should not feel like a gamble. The Suffolk Trusted Trader scheme takes the guesswork out of the process, offering residents a reliable route to businesses and individuals who have been vetted, checked, and approved by Suffolk Trading Standards before they're allowed to display the scheme's badge. From builders and electricians to house clearance specialists, every trader on the register has passed background checks, giving homeowners genuine peace of mind.
Trusted Traders also play their part beyond the doorstep. Legitimate traders, particularly those carrying out house clearances, are expected to dispose of waste responsibly at licensed waste management sites, rather than dumping it illegally. This helps to keep Suffolk's streets and countryside clear of fly tipping and reduces waste crime.
Eco Clubs in West Suffolk
Last month, one of our Waste Management Officers, Sarah, enjoyed visiting schools across West Suffolk to help young people learn more about recycling and waste reduction.
Through engaging workshops, assemblies, and, for the first time this year, the new Eco-Club, Sarah has been inspiring students to think about how their everyday choices can help protect the planet.
The Eco-Club consists of monthly 30-minute sessions for schools' eco-councils, giving students the chance to explore environmental topics in more depth and discover practical ways to make a positive difference. This time, members learned all about biomes and some of the world's most unusual animals, including the fascinating Blue Dragon, Okapi (often called the "forest giraffe"), and the adorable Pink Fairy Armadillo.
Thank you to all that have taken part. It's fantastic to see so many young people passionate about the environment and taking action to create a greener future for everyone.
Demolition Progress Continues at New Ipswich Recycling Centre Site
Work is continuing at pace on the site of Ipswich's new recycling centre, with most of the former warehouse now demolished. Up until now, FCC Environment's demolition team has made significant progress, leaving only a small section of the original structure still standing. The site is expected to be fully cleared by Christmas, marking an important milestone for the project.
Wherever possible, materials from the old building are being recycled. While some residents have asked whether the existing warehouse could have been repurposed, removing the structure will allow the available space to be used more effectively and help create a modern, purpose-built recycling centre. The former building would also have required substantial investment to bring it up to the standards needed for a new public facility.
Meanwhile, work is also progressing behind the scenes, with the project team in the final stages of appointing a contractor to construct the new centre. Once complete, the new recycling centre will provide improved facilities for residents and is expected to open in summer 2027.