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Food waste collections coming soon to Charnwood – Latest News – News Updates
Published: Tue 1st September, 2026
Weekly food waste collections are due to start for most households in Charnwood later this year.
Charnwood Borough Council is working with its recycling and waste partner Serco to roll out the new service which is expected to begin for the majority of homes from week commencing Monday 2 November 2026.
Residents’ bin collection days are not changing.
Collections for households with communal bin store areas are scheduled to start in 2027. This includes those living in properties which share a communal bin store such as flat blocks and sheltered accommodation.
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.
“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.
“This is a positive step forward and will bring many benefits to residents and the environment. I would encourage everyone to get involved and make use of this service.”
All homes will receive a caddy pack with two caddies, one for in the home and the other to place outside for emptying, a roll of liners for the indoor caddy, and some handy information.
For homes with collections starting in November, delivery of the caddy packs will start at the end of September and take a few weeks. Homes with communal bin stores will get their caddy packs closer to their service start date.
Residents are urged to only start recycling food waste the week before their first collection.
Further information about service and top tips will be shared across the Council’s communication channels in the coming weeks.
Weekly food waste collections are being introduced to meet the Government’s Simpler Recycling rules, which require all councils in England to collect food waste separately.
The changes aim to reduce the amount of waste in black bins and carbon emissions.
It is also hoped the new service will help to improve recycling rates in the borough.
The collected food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is used to generate biogas, a renewable energy which is a cleaner and cheaper alternative to fossil fuels. The process also produces nutrient rich fertiliser for farms.
Cllr Beverley Gray, Lead Member for Climate Action and Net Zero, added: “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.
“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.
“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.”
More information about the introduction of food waste collections including frequently asked questions can be found on the Council’s website at www.charnwood.gov.uk/foodwaste
To stay up to date about the roll out of food waste in Charnwood, residents are encouraged to sign up for the Council’s free email alerts by visiting http://www.charnwood.gov.uk/alerts