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Food waste collections begin for people in flats

Alex Pope
News imagePaul Moseley/BBC A food caddy, on a wooden surface, with food in it, including bread, cucumber, lettuce and part of broccoli. A plastic bag is inside it and the black lid is open. Paul Moseley/BBC
Food waste has been collected across West Northamptonshire Council for many years, but not for anyone living in a flat

A long-established food waste collection is to be extended to people living in flats.

West Northamptonshire Council said new government legislation had come into force, stating that weekly food waste collections were required for every household.

The Reform-led authority said kitchen caddies were now being delivered, and communal food waste bins were being installed in shared bin stores.

Councillor Nigel Stansfield, cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste, said: "Food waste recycling has been a familiar and successful part of life for most residents in West Northamptonshire for years. Extending this proven service to flats is an important next step."

News imageWest Northamptonshire Council A woman's hands, on a black food caddy, with a peeler on a white counter with two carrots by some knives. The woman has painted nails, two rings on her fingers and is wearing a dark top West Northamptonshire Council
Uneaten food and plate scrapings can go into the caddies as well as tea bags, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetables, peelings and out-of-date or mouldy food

He added: "We want every resident, no matter where they live, to have access to a clean, straightforward and reliable food waste collection."

He said the council will continue to review bin locations, improve signage and ensure residents are informed.

"Our aim is to help everyone recycle more, waste less and benefit from a service that has already made a positive difference across our communities", Stansfield added.

The council said currently, residents recycle more than 9,000 tonnes of food waste every year.

The waste is anaerobically digested (composting without air) to produce renewable energy and biofertiliser.

Before West Northamptonshire Council was created in 2021, Northampton Borough and Daventry District Councils started recycling food waste in 2012, and South Northamptonshire Council in 2013.

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