Cheshire East Council's plans to introduce food waste collections

The council is preparing to face a £1.5 million hit as a result of the Simpler Recycling Scheme, announced by the Government in October 2023.

This legislation requires all local authorities to collect food waste from their residents on a weekly basis by no later than April 1, 2026.

It has not been confirmed how much funding Cheshire East Council will receive from the Government to compensate it for introducing these changes.

To reduce this financial burden, the council has launched a public consultation on their plans, which would include black bin collections reduced to once every three weeks.

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: “Any shortfall in funding from the Government to deliver weekly food waste collections will place an even bigger pressure on the council’s finances – we are already forecasting a funding gap of £100m over the next four years.

“That’s why – along with continuing to encourage and educate people to reduce, reuse and recycle more of their waste – we need to look at the most cost effective and least risky solution for introducing weekly food waste collections, which can also meet the deadline set by the Government.”

The preferred option for introducing food waste collections would see residents issued with a kerbside food caddy (arger than a kitchen caddy but smaller than a wheelie bin).

One week, the food waste in these caddies would be emptied into the garden waste vehicles doing their rounds, and on the alternate weeks, food waste in the caddies would be collected separately by a dedicated smaller bin wagon. 

Meanwhile, black bin collections would be reduced to once every three weeks, with this change coming in at the same time as the weekly food waste collections begin.

Councillor Warren said: “As a local authority, we must move ahead to implement the changes required by the Simpler Recycling Scheme legislation and our preferred option for doing this reduces the demand that it would place on our existing fleet of bin wagons and staff.

“Evidence also shows that by collecting black bins once every three weeks, it could increase recycling rates by almost five per cent, as well as reduce the financial burden of introducing weekly food waste collections in Cheshire East by more than £1m each year compared to us continuing with fortnightly black bin collections.

“We do understand though that with any change like this, there could be potential impacts and that is why we are proposing to invest in a number of mitigation measures.

“These include recruiting more waste education officers and additional community enforcement officers, who will be targeted to areas where current data shows need is greatest. This will be done in collaboration with town and parish councils.”

To take part in the consultation, which closes on October 20, visit https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/HouseholdWaste2024/.

Paper copies will be available from libraries or alternatively contact CEConsultation@cheshireeast.gov.uk or call customer services on 0300 123 5011 who will send the response on your behalf.

The feedback received will be considered before final proposals are developed and brought back to committee for a decision later this year.