Southend-on-Sea City Council has awarded SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK an eight-year contract valued at £18 million annually, to oversee recycling, waste, and street cleansing services.
Starting in April 2025, SUEZ will take charge of recycling and waste collections for Southend’s 85,500 households, along with the management of two Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), a transfer station, and the city’s street cleansing operations.
As part of the contract, a full transition to a wheeled bin collection scheme will commence in October 2025. This move aims to reduce the environmental impact and cost of managing non-recyclable waste, while significantly increasing recycling rates.
Residents will benefit from enhanced customer service, with innovations such as a new Resident App, Alexa compatibility, and a dedicated website, making it easier for people to access information about their services and keep track of collection schedules.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability is a key focus of the contract, with an annual target to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 4,000 tonnes. This supports Southend-on-Sea City Council’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Cutting-edge technology will be utilised, including a partially electric street cleansing fleet, the use of recycled vegetable oil (HVO) for all plant machinery, and optimised routes to reduce vehicle mileage, all of which will contribute to lowering emissions.
Improvements to the city’s two HWRCs are also planned, allowing residents to recycle a wider range of materials. Additionally, the reuse shop at Stock Road will be revitalised, and a new shop will be opened at Leigh Marshes.
Importantly, 100% of profits from these reuse shops will go to a local charity partner, supporting valuable community services as part of SUEZ’s social value offering.
Council’s Commitment to Cleaner Streets
Councillor Lydia Hyde, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment, and Waste, said:
“I am delighted to announce, subject to contract, SUEZ UK as our preferred bidder for the new recycling, waste collection, and street cleansing contract starting on 5 April 2025. The new scheme will begin in October 2025, with a transitional period to support residents as collections change.”
“This administration is committed to rebuilding pride in our city, and I look forward to working closely with SUEZ UK to deliver an excellent new recycling and waste service that works for all residents. This includes introducing exciting innovations that will make our streets cleaner and support residents in recycling more.”
Councillor Hyde also acknowledged the changes coming with alternate weekly collections and the introduction of wheeled bins, emphasising the Council’s focus on engaging with residents throughout the transition. “We want residents to understand the new scheme and how collections will work. In the meantime, please keep recycling everything you can, including food and garden waste, and reducing black bag waste.”
She extended her gratitude to Veolia UK for their dedication to Southend-on-Sea over the last nine years, noting that staff will have the opportunity to move to the new contractor.
Excitement for the Future
John Scanlon, CEO of SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, said:
“We are thrilled that SUEZ has been given the opportunity to provide recycling, waste, and street cleansing services for Southend-on-Sea City Council from 2025. We look forward to embarking on this new partnership, which will roll out new customer service benefits for residents, alongside an ambitious strategy to help the Council achieve its carbon neutral goals, increase recycling rates, and deliver lasting benefits to the local community. We are excited to get started and deliver for the people of Southend.”