Why is Sandwell moving to Alternate Weekly Collections (AWC) and Dual-Stream Recycling?
Too much of what we throw away ends up being burned instead of recycled. Right now, only 29% of Sandwell’s waste is recycled, compared to the national average of 41%.
To tackle this, the Government is introducing new legislation to make recycling simpler and more effective. From April 2026, all councils (including Sandwell) must:
- Collect food waste separately from other rubbish
- Separate paper and cardboard from other recyclables like glass, plastic, and cans
If we don’t improve our recycling rates, the cost of waste disposal will increase, which could mean fewer funds for other important services.
By moving to Alternate Weekly Collections (AWC) and Dual-Stream Recycling, we will:
- Boost recycling rates and reduce waste
- Help the environment by cutting carbon emissions
- Save money to invest in other council services
Read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
This will also support the Waste Hierarchy model which looks to encourage residents to:
- Reduce: Encouraging residents to reduce waste at the source, e.g. avoiding single-use plastics
- Reuse: Promoting initiatives like community swap shops or repair cafés
- Recycle: The new Dual-Stream System ensures materials are properly recycled
- Recovery: Less waste sent for incineration as recycling improves
- Disposal: A last resort, as disposal is costly and environmentally harmful
We will clearly communicate any changes to our waste collections service to residents, setting out what the changes mean for all households in the coming months.
What are the benefits of moving to AWC and Dual-Stream service?
By introducing Alternate Weekly Collections (AWC) and Dual-Stream Recycling, Sandwell can:
- Make Recycling Easier: Separating waste properly reduces confusion and ensures more gets recycled
- Create a Greener Sandwell: Less waste in landfill means cleaner air and a healthier environment
- Reduce Carbon Emissions: Less burning of waste helps tackle climate change
- Improve Recycling Quality: When materials are properly sorted, they are worth more and can be turned into better products
- Make Waste Collection More Efficient: A smarter, more effective system means better services for residents
- Save Money: Reducing waste disposal costs allows the council to invest in other critical services
- Avoid Future Penalties: If we don’t improve recycling, government fines could increase costs for everyone
These changes are designed to make recycling work better for you, your family, and our community.