Lewes District Council – News- August 2026

Rubbish and litter can cause devastating wildfires

This summer has brought some of the hottest days on record, increasing the risk of wildfires across the UK. Closer to home, Lewes district experienced fires near Little Horsted and Ringmer, highlighting just how quickly fires can take hold during warm, dry conditions.

While hot weather creates the conditions for wildfires, many are caused by human activity. Discarded rubbish, litter and carelessly thrown cigarette ends can all start fires that spread rapidly through grassland and countryside. What may seem like a small act can have serious consequences for wildlife, habitats, homes and local infrastructure.

One of the biggest risks comes from litter left in open spaces. Glass bottles and jars can focus the sun’s rays, creating intense heat that can ignite dry grass and vegetation. Cigarette ends that are not fully extinguished can also start fires.

Residents and visitors can play an important role in reducing the risk by:

• Taking all rubbish home and disposing of it responsibly.
• Never leaving glass bottles, jars or other waste in parks, countryside areas or on the Downs.
• Ensuring smoking materials are fully stubbed out and safely disposed of.
• Never throwing cigarette ends from vehicles.
• Reporting littering and helping to keep outdoor spaces clean and safe.

By taking your rubbish home and disposing of litter responsibly, you can help protect our countryside and reduce the risk of wildfires this summer

Beat the summer heat: Keep your bins fresh and fly-free

Warm weather can accelerate food decomposition in our household bins. This creates damp, unpleasant odours that attract flies. Fortunately, a few simple steps can help keep your bins clean and fly-free all season long. ​

Wrap food scraps securely: Use compostable food waste caddy liners and securely tie them before emptying into your food waste bin. If you’re running low on caddy liners, extra rolls of liners are available free of charge from over 15 locations across Lewes district. To find out where to collect yours visit our food waste recycling scheme webpage.

Try the freezer hack: Freeze smellier food scraps in a sealed container until the morning of your bin collection. ​

Neutralise odours: Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda at the base to absorb dampness, or mist the inside with white vinegar as a natural fly deterrent. ​

Wheelie bin maintenance: ​If possible, keep your bins in the shade to prevent heat build-up. If you notice maggots, pour boiling water directly over them for instant removal. Alternatively, a generous dusting of table salt or a splash of malt vinegar will quickly resolve the issue. ​​Use botanical oils like citronella, peppermint, or tea tree oil around the lid rim to naturally repel insects. ​

Give your bin a post-collection clean down ​once emptied, wash your bin with hot, soapy water. Pour wastewater down a foul water drain (not a surface storm drain) and allow the bin to dry completely before its next use. ​

Thank you for helping to keep our community clean and hygienic this summer.

Young filmmakers put food waste in the spotlight

Three budding filmmakers, Arthur, Edith and Tove, have turned their creativity towards one of our most important everyday environmental challenges: food waste.

Recyling batteries and vapes

Did you know that batteries and vapes are one of the leading causes of fires in the waste and recycling industry? When these items are thrown into household bins, they can become damaged, overheat, and start dangerous fires in collection vehicles, recycling facilities, and waste sites.

You can help keep our crews, residents, and recycling facilities safe by following these simple steps:

🔋 Keep batteries out of all bins – Never put batteries, including AA, AAA, button cell, or lithium-ion batteries, into your household rubbish or recycling bins. If an electronic item has an inbuilt battery don’t put it in your bin.

🚭 Don’t throw away vapes or small electronics – Items such as disposable and rechargeable vapes, electric toothbrushes, razors, wireless headphones, and mobile phones contain lithium-ion batteries. If placed in a bin, they can cause fires.

🛒 Use store collection points – Many supermarkets, electrical retailers, and local shops provide dedicated collection points for used batteries and vapes. Please use these facilities whenever possible.

♻️ Recycle electrical items responsibly – Small electrical items should be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) or disposed of through Anglo Recycling’s approved recycling services.

✅ Make batteries safe for recycling – Before recycling lithium-ion or other rechargeable batteries, place clear sticky tape over the battery terminals (metal contacts). This helps prevent accidental short circuits during transport and handling.

By recycling batteries, vapes, and electrical items correctly, you’re helping to protect collection crews, recycling workers, and the environment while reducing the risk of potentially devastating fires.

Remember: If it has a battery, don’t put it in the bin. Recycle it safely.

Anglo Doorstep Collections

Anglo Doorstep Collections offers a free household collection service across East Sussex. Operating in partnership with local councils, the service allows residents to clear out unwanted, reusable items directly from their homes. ​

How it works:

• Book online: Schedule a pick-up slot via the Anglo Doorstep Collections website.
• Pack Your Items: Place donations into clean bags or sturdy cardboard boxes. (See list below)
• Leave Outside: On the morning of your scheduled date, place the bags/boxes on your doorstep, near your gate, or in a safe place outside. You do not need to be at home when the driver arrives.
• Collection and recycling: Drivers pick up the items and your items are recycled or reused.  ​

What can be donated? ​

Items should be clean, dry, and in good reusable condition.

• ​Clothing and footwear: Clothes, coats, and paired shoes.
• Textiles: Clean bed linen, towels, and curtains.  ​Books and media: Books, CDs, DVDs, and console games in their original cases.
• Toys and accessories: Children’s toys, puzzles, handbags, belts, and jewellery.
• Small household items and electricals: Kitchenware, glassware, cutlery, small tools, laptops, and small electrical appliances.  ​

As well as reducing items going to waste by recycling or rehoming them, the Anglo Doorstep Collection service donates a portion of the proceeds to partnered charities of your choice.

Find out more and book a collection: anglodoorstepcollections.co.uk/lewes-district-council

Keeping our streets clean and welcoming

We love seeing our community take pride in our local area by using public litter bins. These bins play an important role in helping to keep our streets clean and tidy.

However, we are currently seeing an increase in street bins being filled with household rubbish bags and commercial waste. Sometimes referred to as “fly-tipping by stealth”, using street bins for personal or business waste causes significant issues for everyone.

Public bins are designed for small, on-the-go waste like coffee cups, food wrappers, and dog waste. When public bins are misused for household or trade rubbish they overflow rapidly, leaving no room for everyday litter. ​ ​

How You Can Help:

• Report commercial waste dumping or fly tipping on our website
• If you have extra waste or oversized items that will not fit in your home bins, please take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or visit our website to arrange a bulky waste collection. ​

Thank you for helping to keep our shared public spaces clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.

Feedback from customers

It’s always helpful to receive feedback from customers whether constructive or complimentary. Here are a few comments that recently encouraged our team:

“I really appreciate the team collecting waste on such a hot day!  

I wanted to praise the wonderful refuse collections team! I am disabled and they saw me and helped me with such a wonderful caring manner, it was like they were just helping a friend.

Fantastic customer service, the collection service was excellent.

My bin was damaged and I’m thankful for the speedy delivery of a new one.”