Walsall Council has approved plans to introduce weekly food waste collections for all households. Each home will receive a small kitchen caddy for everyday use and a larger kerbside caddy, which will be emptied once a week. For homes with communal bins, the service will work slightly differently, but collections will still take place weekly.
This new service is part of a nationwide requirement under the Environment Act 2021, which means all local authorities must introduce food waste collections by March 31, 2026. In Walsall, the council expects the service to cost around £1.7 million in additional yearly funding. Work will now begin to award contracts for the supply of caddies, collection vehicles, and food waste disposal.
At this point in time, it is our belief that resident participation in the scheme will be optional.
A review in 2023 revealed that food waste makes up about 40% of the material in Walsall’s grey bins, amounting to around 28,500 tonnes each year. Worryingly, a large portion of that food waste was still in its original packaging. By introducing the new service, the council hopes to divert between 6,000 and 10,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill, depending on how well residents take part.
Once collected, food waste will be sent to a treatment facility where it will be turned into fertiliser and green energy through a process called anaerobic digestion. This method is more cost-effective than sending waste to landfill or incineration and helps produce biogas, which can be used for electricity or fuel, as well as fertiliser for farming.
Council leaders have praised the early planning and preparation for the new service. They see it not only as a way to meet national requirements but also as a chance to educate residents about reducing food waste and protecting the environment for the future.
We want to hear from you
As this new food waste collection service is introduced, we are keen to gather feedback from our members. We would like to hear any positive views, concerns, or questions you may have — especially around how accessible the information will be about what can and cannot go into the food waste caddies. Your feedback will help ensure that everyone, including those with visual impairments, is fully supported to take part.
If you would like to share your thoughts, please get in touch with us using our Contact Us form.<