THURROCK Council has set a target to recycle 50 per cent of its waste by 2031.

A report on how the council expects to achieve its new recycling target comes just weeks after its current 30 per cent target was described as "chillingly low" by Cllr Ben Maney, chairman of the corporate overview and scrutiny committee.

Basildon Council has set its target at 55 per cent while Southend's target is 50 per cent.

Latest figures show Thurrock reached its 30 per cent target but the council says it has the means to significantly improve this.

In its Recycling Rate Strategic Roadmap, which will be discussed at a place overview and scrutiny meeting next Wednesday (19 February), the council has detailed how it hopes to achieve its new target.

Weekly food waste collections which began in August to low level properties will be extended to flats in April next year. It is hoped this will reduce contamination of recyclable materials and contribute to composting.

Improvement to Thurrock's Household Waste Recycling Centres from 2026 to 2028 include a reuse shop, a paint reuse scheme, and expanded collection capacity for recyclable materials. Reuse shops and similar initiatives have been shown to contribute a 2 to 3 per cent increase in recycling rates.

The council also aims to partner with local charities and community groups to establish other reuse facilities, including furniture donations and swap shops to divert bulky items from waste streams.

Bin lorry fleets are set to be upgraded and colour-coded bins along with additional public recycling points are set to streamline the service and encourage more recycling .

The council expects growth of the food waste service to increase recycling to 36 per cent by 2026.

Better recycling of paper and textiles and the reuse shop are expected to deliver a 46 per cent recycling rate by 2029 and it is hoped the addition of public education measures and other reuse initiatives will mean the council should hit its 50 per cent target by 2031.

The report says: "Thurrock Council's targeted initiatives align with legislative requirements and leverage community engagement and infrastructure upgrades to achieve a 50 per cent recycling rate by 2031.

"The incremental increase in the target has been profiled from 2025/26 and not before, due to the commencement of activity part way through 2024/25.

"Each element contributes incrementally to the overall target while fostering sustainability and compliance with national goals.

"Regular monitoring and public reporting will ensure transparency and adaptive improvements as necessary."