Significant changes to household waste collection services are set to transform how Solihull residents manage their rubbish, with a comprehensive overhaul scheduled to begin in October 2026. The borough-wide modifications will introduce a new weekly food waste collection while transitioning general rubbish collections to a fortnightly schedule, bringing Solihull in line with the majority of UK local authorities.
Major Service Changes for All Households
Solihull Council has confirmed sweeping alterations to its waste management strategy following the recent approval of an updated waste and recycling policy during a January cabinet meeting. The most notable change involves the complete scrapping of weekly black bin collections, which will be replaced with a fortnightly collection service for general household rubbish.
Simultaneously, the council will introduce a mandatory weekly food waste collection service across the entire borough. This initiative forms part of the council's compliance with government environmental mandates and aims to significantly improve recycling rates while reducing landfill waste.
New Equipment and Implementation Timeline
To facilitate the new food waste separation system, all Solihull households will receive two free containers specifically designed for food waste management. Residents will be provided with:
- A compact seven-litre caddy for convenient indoor kitchen use
- A larger 23-litre caddy for kerbside collection purposes
The council has established October 2026 as the official launch date for these comprehensive service changes, allowing sufficient time for preparation and resident education.
Special Arrangements for Flat Dwellers
Residents living in flats and apartment buildings will receive slightly different arrangements under the new system. While they will eventually transition to fortnightly rubbish collections alongside other households, flat residents will initially maintain their weekly collection service during the early implementation phase.
Flat occupants will receive individual kitchen caddies for food waste separation but will utilise shared communal containers for their food waste disposal rather than individual kerbside caddies.
Communication Strategy and Policy Context
Council officials have emphasised their commitment to ensuring all residents understand and adapt to the new waste management requirements. A comprehensive communication campaign has been promised, featuring multiple engagement channels including:
- Direct communication with households
- Regular social media updates and announcements
- Community roadshows and information sessions
- Detailed guidance on the council website
Solihull currently represents a minority among UK local authorities, with only seven per cent still offering weekly rubbish collections. The transition to fortnightly collections aligns the borough with national environmental standards and government waste management policies that prioritise recycling and sustainability.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Updates
The council's portfolio holder for environment and relevant councillors will conduct regular reviews of the implementation plans throughout the months leading up to the October 2026 launch. Progress updates will be provided to council members to ensure smooth transition management and address any emerging concerns during the changeover period.
These substantial changes represent Solihull Council's most significant waste management reform in recent years, reflecting both mandatory government requirements and the authority's commitment to environmental improvement across the borough.
