Bin collections in parts of Kent are changing as new waste fleets take to the streets for the first time.

Maidstone, Swale and Ashford residents could see the day their rubbish is taken away change – and they will no longer be able to have unwanted small electricals, batteries and textiles collected.

From Monday, March 25 the £152 million contract with Suez UK, agreed in December 2022, comes in and replaces Biffa.

The contract will last for eight years, equating to £19 million a year split between the Mid-Kent Waste Partnership made up of Swale, Maidstone and Ashford councils.

Swale council says it has written to almost 58,000 households in the Sittingbourne, Sheppey, and Faversham areas to let them know if the day of their collection will change.

It added on its social media pages: “We have been working to try to make these changes run as smoothly as possible, but any change to a service like this is likely to have teething problems.

“We are asking for your patience when the new service begins, and we'll be putting out updates, information and advice so you know what you need to do.”

Residents in Ashford and Maidstone are also receiving letters.

In a letter sent to residents living near Invicta Park, Maidstone, the authority said: “A new fleet of vehicles will be introduced which will be fitted with enhanced technology such as CCTV and live tracking.

“It will improve reliability, reduce the environmental impact and provide a more efficient service.”

Maidstone council cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Patrik Garten, said: “Maidstone collects 17,000 bins every day and we are pleased to welcome the new waste contractor to oversee this delivery.

“The state-of-the-art new fleet will have better telematics, live tracking and CCTV to alert managers at SUEZ and MBC in real time if, and when, problems occur.

“This also includes smaller vehicles which will be better equipped to assist in areas that we know have access issues.

“As with any project of this scale, there will be unforeseen start-up problems, for which we apologise in advance, but we are prepared to face them, and we will endeavour to deliver the best possible service for our residents.”

Maidstone council says the new contract will also offer the chance to increase recycling rates across the three authorities.

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Food waste will continue to be collected every week on the same day as waste and recycling.

Biffa had run the bin collections for the Mid Kent Waste Partnership for the last 10 years.

Staff are being transferred to the new contractors.