Applications for Braintree District Council’s new Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collection service went live this week for collections to start from June 2026 onwards.
This free service is available to eligible kerbside households where nappies, continence or other absorbent hygiene products are used regularly and additional non‑recyclable waste capacity is needed. The service has been introduced to provide practical support to residents and to help manage waste more effectively.
Key points:
- The AHP service provides a separate, free collection of absorbent hygiene waste using council‑issued sacks.
- AHP waste is collected two out of every three weeks: once in the week before the grey bin is collected, and again on grey bin week.
- AHP sacks can also be placed inside the grey bin on the normal refuse collection day where there is space and the lid can fully close.
- The service is optional and households can continue using their grey bin if they have sufficient capacity.
- The service has been designed to be discreet and dignity‑focused.
- Residents must apply for the service; it is not provided automatically.
- The service is aimed at supporting households who generate higher levels of non‑recyclable waste due to care or medical needs, including families with young children and residents using continence products.
Full details, including eligibility criteria, accepted items and how to apply, are available on the Council website: https://www.braintree.gov.uk/ahpcollections
For queries that are not covered on the website, please call BDC’s Customer Services on 01376 552525 or via the online contact options.
Below are some FAQs we thought you might find useful:
How does the application process for the AHP service work?
Residents must apply for the AHP collection service, as it is not provided automatically.
Applications are made online through the Council website (https://www.braintree.gov.uk/ahpcollections). As part of the application, residents are asked to confirm:
- That their household is a kerbside property
- That absorbent hygiene products (such as nappies or continence items) are used regularly
- That additional non‑recyclable waste capacity is needed
Once an application is received, it is assessed to confirm eligibility.
How long does it take for the service to start once someone applies?
After an application is approved:
- The household will receive a welcome pack, including information about their collection schedule
- Council‑issued AHP sacks will be delivered to the property
The service will begin as soon as the sacks have been delivered and the household’s collection schedule is activated. Start dates can vary depending on application volumes and sack delivery routes.
Residents are advised to continue using their grey bin for this waste until their AHP service is fully set up.
How are AHP sacks delivered?
AHP sacks are delivered separately by the council following approval of an application. The delivery is not linked to normal bin collections and may take place on a different day.
Households receive an initial allocation of sacks, with instructions on how to request more if needed in the future.
Who is the AHP service for?
The service is for households where someone who normally lives at the property uses disposable nappies, continence products, or other absorbent hygiene items on a regular basis and needs extra waste capacity.
Does it cost anything?
No. The AHP collection service is free of charge for households that qualify.
What items can go into AHP sacks?
Accepted items include disposable nappies, incontinence pads and pants, bed and chair pads, colostomy and stoma bags (emptied), catheter bags (emptied) and similar care‑related consumables. A full list of accepted and non‑accepted items is provided on the council website.
Cat litter is not classed as an Absorbent Hygiene Product and should continue to be disposed of in the household’s normal grey (non‑recyclable) bin.
Period products are not included in the AHP collection service and should be placed in the household’s grey (non‑recyclable) bin in the usual way.
Clinical waste must not be placed in AHP sacks. This typically includes:
- Sharps (needles, syringes, lancets)
- Items contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids where there is an infection risk
- Waste that a GP, hospital or care team has specifically classed as clinical waste
How often will AHP waste be collected?
Separate AHP collections take place the week before each grey bin collection. In addition, AHP sacks can be placed inside the grey bin on normal non-recyclable waste day where there is space and the lid can fully close. Otherwise, AHP sacks may be placed beside the grey on the normal non-recyclable waste collection day. Collection calendars are provided to approved households.
What about privacy and dignity?
The service has been deliberately designed to be discreet. Bags are unmarked, can be placed inside the grey bin where space allows, and crews are trained to handle them as routine waste. Existing assisted collection arrangements can also be used.
Can residents in flats or communal properties apply?
At present, the AHP service is available to kerbside households only. Communal properties usually already receive more frequent waste collections. Residents in communal settings with exceptional circumstances can contact the council for advice on their options.
What if someone already has enough bin space?
Using the AHP service is optional. Households can continue to place these items in their grey bin if they have sufficient capacity. The service is there to support those who need additional help.
Full details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, are available at https://www.braintree.gov.uk/ahpcollections