Residents thanked as Mid Sussex recycling rate passes 60%

Residents across Mid Sussex are being thanked for helping the district recycle more and waste less as part of Recycle Week 2026 (14 to 20 September), after the district's recycling rate increased from 41% to over 60% following the introduction of the new 1, 2, 3 waste service.

 

Recycle Week, organised by Recycle Now, is the UK's biggest annual celebration of recycling. This year's campaign highlights how recycling the right items in the right way makes a real difference, helping to save energy and keep valuable materials in use for longer. 

The campaign comes as Mid Sussex celebrates a major milestone. With the 1,2,3 waste service now established since its launch last November, the district's recycling rate has increased from 41% to over 60%, a significant achievement made possible by households across the district embracing the service changes. A recycling rate measures the percentage of household waste that is reused, recycled or composted. Mid Sussex's current recycling rate is now well above the latest UK average household recycling rate of 44.6% recorded before the introduction of Simpler Recycling.  

The new service introduced weekly food waste collections, fortnightly recycling collections and three-weekly general waste collections. It represents one of the biggest changes to local waste services in more than 20 years.

Residents have also recycled more than 3,000 tonnes of food waste, which is enough to fill approximately 7.2 million tins of beans or equivalent to 25 million bananas. Now diverted from general waste through the weekly food waste collection service, it is treated locally at an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is turned into renewable energy and bio-fertiliser. Even small amounts of food waste can make a difference - recycling just eight banana peels generates enough energy to boil a kettle.

Councillor Chris Hobbs, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Customer Services, said "Recycle Week is a great opportunity to recognise the difference that residents are making every day, and for all of us to consider how we can be more intentional with our waste habits. We would like to thank everyone who has embraced the new 1, 2, 3 waste service and adapted to new collection arrangements.

"The increase in our recycling rate from 41% to over 60% is a fantastic achievement and shows what can be accomplished when residents work together to recycle more and waste less."

The Council recognises that arrangements for flats and communal bin stores are not always straightforward. Since the launch of the service changes last autumn, Council officers have worked closely with residents and managing agents in over 100 properties to provide guidance, review storage arrangements, and identify practical solutions. Improvements have already been made and this work will continue. 

To help residents stay on top of collections, the Council is also encouraging people to download the Mid Sussex District Council app and sign up for bin day reminders delivered straight to their phone: https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/about-us/mid-sussex-district-council-mobile-app 

For more information about what can and cannot be recycled, visit www.westsussexrecycles.org.uk.