Bedford Borough Council has thanked residents for their fantastic efforts following the introduction of glass bottle and jar recycling collections from residential orange-lidded bins last month.
Since the new service began on 1 December 2025, the Council has already seen a significant increase in the amount of recycling collected from residents orange-lidded bins. Interim data indicates that more than 220 tonnes of additional recycling were collected in December compared with the same month the previous year - an increase of around 24%.
These early figures suggest that residents have embraced the new system by recycling glass bottles and jars alongside existing dry recycling materials which can be placed in their orange-lidded bin. The glass is mechanically separated at the sorting facility, posing no risk to operators, and residents can be reassured that it’s fine for glass to be mixed in colour or even broken.
Councillor Nicola Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said, “We want to say a big thank you to everyone who’s been putting their glass bottles and jars in their orange-lidded bins. It’s fantastic to see such a strong response so soon after launching the service. Every bottle and jar recycled helps us cut waste and create a cleaner, greener Bedford Borough. By keeping up the great work, we can make an even bigger difference together.”
Residents are reminded to give glass bottles and jars a quick rinse, leave metal lids on, and remove any corks before recycling. Corks will go in the black-lidded bin. Any plastic spray tops on glass cosmetic bottles, such as perfume, or plastic lids on glass jars, should be removed, but can still go in the orange-lidded bin separately.
If you have extra recycling, including glass, you can put it out on your collection day in a clear sack or sturdy cardboard box placed next to your orange‑lidded bin. Collection crews ask that glass bottles and jars are placed in the orange‑lidded bin where possible, with any additional recycling placed in the sacks or boxes alongside. Residents can learn more about what to put in each of their bins at www.bedford.gov.uk/MyBins
Now that residents can recycle glass from home, usage of the Council’s network of bottle banks will be monitored over the coming months to help understand how residents are using the new service and to shape future provision.
This is just one of several improvements to recycling in Bedford Borough. The new weekly food waste collection service will begin on Monday 30 March 2026, helping households recycle even more. More details about this service are available at www.bedford.gov.uk/FoodWaste
For more information about recycling in Bedford Borough, visit bedford.gov.uk/Recycling