Solihull residents will see major changes to bin collections starting this autumn, as the council confirmed the new service will begin on Monday, October 5, 2026. The move comes after the council missed a spring government deadline for implementing separate food waste collections.
New Collection Schedule
Under the new system, households will receive a weekly food waste collection and switch to fortnightly rubbish collections. The food waste scheme, funded by the government, includes a free seven-litre kitchen caddy and a free 23-litre outdoor caddy, which will be lockable to deter pests.
Delivery Timeline
The caddies will be delivered to homes between August and September 2026. Residents will use the kitchen caddy for food scraps like plate scrapings, peelings, and tea bags, but should avoid liquids. Once full, the kitchen caddy is emptied into the outdoor caddy for kerbside collection.
Background and Reasons for Delay
The mandatory change, required under new legislation, was originally due by March 2026. However, Solihull Council cited space constraints at the Moat Lane Depot, local elections in May restricting communications, and autumn being an optimal time for launching new services as reasons for the delay.
Environmental Benefits
Councillor Ken Hawkins, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, expressed excitement about the new service. He noted that over 30% of household waste in Solihull is food waste, and the average UK family discards up to £1,000 worth of edible food annually. The collected food waste will be turned into fertiliser for local farms and renewable energy, rather than being burned.
Public Information Events
The council will host a series of summer events to inform residents about the changes. The first event takes place on June 6 at Knowle Green Fair in St John’s Hall, Knowle High Street. More details are available at solihull.gov.uk/collection-changes.
