Episode 1: Why do we have so many bins?

Why does one council give you two bins while another gives you five? And do more bins actually mean better recycling? In our debut episode, Kate and Tim are joined by Charlotte Paine from Braintree District Council to unpack the Great Bin Question. From recycling targets and food waste collections to resident behaviour and service redesign, they explore why local authorities collect materials in different ways and what happens when councils ask residents to change their habits. With practical insights from a council in the middle of a major service transformation, this episode lifts the lid on the thinking, challenges, and opportunities behind modern waste and recycling collections.