Weekly food waste collections will begin for most households in Charnwood from November 2, as the council rolls out a new service aimed at boosting recycling rates. Charnwood Borough Council is working with its waste partner Serco to deliver the service, which will apply to the majority of residents in the borough.
What residents need to know
Regular bin collection days will remain unchanged during the transition. Households with shared communal bin stores, such as blocks of flats and sheltered housing, will not see their service begin until 2027.
Every eligible home will receive a caddy pack containing an indoor caddy, an outdoor caddy, and a roll of caddy liners. Deliveries of these packs will start at the end of September and are expected to take a few weeks to complete.
Why the change is happening
The initiative is being introduced across the country to meet the government's Simpler Recycling rules. Separating leftover food will help generate clean, renewable energy and create nutrient-rich fertiliser for local farmland.
Cllr Anne Gray, lead member for waste, open spaces and leisure facilities, said: "We understand this is a big change for our residents, but the Council will share plenty of information to help residents recycle food waste effectively."
She continued: "We're working with our partner Serco to ensure a smooth roll-out, which includes delivering thousands of caddy packs to homes before the service gets underway."
Environmental benefits highlighted
Cllr Beverley Gray, lead member for climate action and net zero, commented: "Recycling food waste is a small action that can make a real difference to the environment and future generations. No amount is too little – even a single banana skin can generate enough renewable energy to charge two smartphones."
She added: "Every bit of food waste recycled helps to create cleaner and cheaper energy while reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The process also produces a nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser that can be used on local farmland."
Cllr Beverley Gray also encouraged residents to take part, saying: "I'd encourage residents to give it a try. Recycling food waste is just as easy as putting it in your kitchen bin, but instead it goes into a separate container."
How to get more information
Residents can learn more about the service or sign up for free email updates by visiting the council's website at https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/introduction_of_food_waste_collections or https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/email_alerts.
The service is set to bring long-term environmental and economic benefits to the borough, with the council aiming to make recycling as straightforward as possible for all residents.
