The Facts: Green Recycling Bags To Save Taxpayers £225,000

Published: Monday, 24th August 2026

The Council's reusable green recycling bags are set to save taxpayers £225,000 while delivering significant environmental benefits and helping to increase recycling rates across the District.

The Council decided in February 2024 to introduce the green reusable bags to replace single-use clear recycling sacks. The aims were to reduce waste, save money and support the Council's preparations for future national waste and recycling requirements.

The reusable bags will have prevented the use of more than four million single-use clear sacks as well as reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The scheme has also removed the need for around 30,000 miles of annual clear sack delivery journeys, further reducing the Council's carbon footprint.

The reusable bags cost approximately £300,000 to purchase and distribute. However, by eliminating the need to buy and deliver clear recycling sacks, the Council is projected to save around £525,000 by the time the new wheelie bin service is introduced, resulting in a net saving of approximately £225,000.

The reusable bags have also contributed to a 3.5% increase in the District's recycling rate.

The Council introduced the reusable bags while developing its future waste collection arrangements and awaiting confirmation of the Government's national waste collection requirements. Following clarification of those requirements in 2025, local authorities were required to provide simpler collection systems with less manual handling for collection crews.

As a result, the reusable green bags will be withdrawn when the Council introduces wheelie bin collections for most households from 12 October 2026.

Although there will be a small cost associated with collecting any bags residents wish to return, recycling the material is expected to generate around £10,000, helping to offset those costs.

The Council will provide further details about returning and recycling the green bags later this year. A final figure for the total savings achieved through the scheme will be published once it has been confirmed.

For more information about the new wheelie bin service and frequently asked questions, visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/wheeliebins.