Blue recycling bin collections in Sunderland, South Tyneside, and Gateshead have been dubbed "not sustainable in the longer term" - however, officials say there are currently no plans to reduce collections.
A report into blue bin collections by the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership (STWWMP) has revealed paper recycling is continuing to decline. The report states paper tonnage for recycling is now "minimal" and means kerbside collection is not "operating as effectively as it should be".
Data collected by the local authorities between 2022 and 2023, shows a consistent drop in paper collected by recycling services.
