Using your brown bin

The brown bin scheme is proving a real hit with Ipswich residents and covers nearly 46,000 properties across the town.

In 2022/23 Ipswich residents recycled 7,769 tonnes of their garden waste.

We also offer a second brown bin service to residents on the existing scheme.

WE'RE SORRY - Our brown bins are currently unavailable to order for both replacements and second brown bins subscriptions. We will update as soon as these are available to order again.

Collections

The brown composting bins are collected once a fortnight. You can use our online tool to find out when the bins will next be emptied in your street:

When will my bin next be emptied?

Please do not over load your brown bin. Bins that are deemed too heavy may not be emptied.

Brown bins come in two sizes: small (140 litres) and large (240 litres). If you would like to change the size of your bin please let us know.

Please help us by making sure that you put your bin out for collection at the right time and in the right place. Find out more on our Where to put your bin page.

Further information about all of your waste collections is available in the guidance document below:

Household waste collection arrangements and guidance

What can you put in your brown bin?

Your brown bin is for composting your garden waste. Please place all of your garden waste loose in the brown bin. There is no need to put it in bags of any type. Please do not use compostable, biodegradable or corn starch bags.

Yes please	No thank you
Grass cuttings	Fruit and vegetable peelings
Leaves	Household or kitchen waste
Light garden prunings	Teabags
Hedge trimmings	Coffee grounds
Untreated wood	Sawdust and pet straw (clean)
Weeds	Shredded paper
Dead flowers	Soil
Plants	Turf
Real Christmas trees	Rubble
Windfall fruit	Household waste
	Biodegradable packaging
	Compost
	Compostable, biodegradable or corn starch bags
	Carrier bags/black bin bags
	Stones
	Egg shells
	Cat litter
	Animal waste/faeces
	Meat/Fish
	Bread/Rice/Pasta
	Cardboard boxes/egg boxes
	Invasive plants e.g. Japanese Knotweed, ragwort, spear/ creeping thistle

It is important to separate your garden waste and not include it in your black (rubbish) bin.

Thanks to the commitment of Ipswich residents last year, around 10,000 tonnes of green waste is collected via the brown bins each year.

Garden Waste Bulk Collections

If you have garden waste that will not fit in your brown bin, we offer a chargeable bulky garden waste collection service.

A green bulk collection consists of up to five securely tied bundles (manageable by one person) of garden waste (tree prunings etc.) removed from your front garden.

Please visit our Disposing of garden waste page for more information.

Soil improver

Soil improver can be purchased throughout the year from Household Waste Recycling Centres in pre-filled bags. You can call Suffolk County Council on 0345 606 6067 for more details.

Producing your own compost

Ipswich Borough Council has teamed up with getcomposting.com to provide exclusive offers on home compost bins, water butts and accessories. Go to www.getcomposting to view the latest offers.

Love food but hate waste?

In the UK we throw away 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink from our homes every year, shockingly the majority of which could have been eaten.

If you find yourself with leftover food, rather than throw it away take at look at the delicious recipes on the Love Food Hate Waste website. You'll also find useful tips on how to store food correctly and portion planning.

For more advice on how to reduce your food waste visit Suffolk Recylcing's #FoodSavvy campaign website.