Major bin collections changes are on the way for millions of households. Residents have been told they will have to do things differently and will be provided with a new bin.
There will be a separate bin or caddy for food waste and households will have to separate their food waste and put it into the new bin, alongside their recycling and normal rubbish. It’s part of a national effort to reuse food waste and prevent it going to landfill.
The changes are due to come into force in 2026, though some local authorities may introduce changes before then. And it will be another change residents need to get used to when it comes to their bins. Midlands council leaders have spoken out about the new rules.
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Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley added: “The changes being proposed are driven by a need to recycle more and to cut costs for the taxpayer. We are under obligation to introduce weekly food waste collections by 2026 by Government legislation.
“But notwithstanding that, we want to make it easier for more people to recycle and for food waste to be collected and turned into something useful.” Councillor Phil Whitehouse, cabinet member for operational services at Lichfield District Council, said: “Currently, unless residents compost it, food waste is discarded in black bins which is then incinerated leading to higher carbon emissions and missed recycling opportunities.
“By diverting food waste from black bins to dedicated collections we will be able to drive up the amount of waste we recycle and reduce our carbon footprint.”