BASILDON Council’s popular bulky waste collection initiative, The Crunch, continues to prove its value to the community, with 206.92 tonnes of waste collected so far in 2025 and more than 53% of it diverted from landfill through recycling.
The most recent Crunch event, which took place on Saturday 20 September, saw residents turn out in force across four borough locations to dispose of 42.92 tonnes of bulky household waste. The haul included:
040 tonnes of general (non-recyclable) waste
570 tonnes of wood
000 tonnes of metal
310 tonnes of electrical items
This brings the total for the year to 206.92 tonnes, including 49.924 tonnes collected in July – a sign of both the growing popularity of the service and the community’s commitment to responsible waste disposal.
Councillor Aidan McGurran, Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, praised
residents for their continued engagement:
“This is one of the most popular services we offer, and it’s easy to see why. From the start of the year to now, The Crunch has helped collect over 206 tonnes of waste – with a recycling rate that keeps climbing. Residents continue to show real pride in their neighbourhoods and take full advantage of this free, accessible service.
“The Crunch has often brought out the best in our communities, with neighbours helping neighbours and a shared goal of creating cleaner, safer estates. We thank everyone who took part and encourage more to join next time.”
The Crunch is made possible thanks to the funding and support of Basildon Council’s Area Committees.
Councillor Jack Ferguson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport, Children & Young People, said:
“Thanks to ongoing support from our Area Committees, we’re able to bring this valuable service directly to residents, right where they live. It’s more than just waste removal, it’s about accessibility, community spirit, and contributing to a cleaner environment.”
“A huge thanks go to our dedicated waste services team, who work tirelessly to ensure each Crunch event runs safely and efficiently.”
Basildon Council plans to continue the Crunch programme into 2026 and beyond, building on its growing success and resident demand.
