Weekly food waste scheme will help secure green future and new opportunities for North East Lincolnshire

The Council’s Cabinet has welcomed the introduction of weekly food waste collections to help improve waste and recycling in the near future – whilst providing jobs for residents.

Councils across the country received capital funding from Central Government for the project in February this year. North East Lincolnshire Council was granted £1.2 million to help with the capital costs of implementation of food waste collection, including vehicles, indoor caddies and outdoor containers.

The investment comes as part of the 25 Year Environment Plan by Central Government to leave the environment in a better condition for future generations.

In April 2021, the Council carried out a pilot scheme in which around 4,500 households across five wards took part in food waste collections. The aim was to reduce household waste by raising awareness about the amount of food waste we throw away and increase recycling.

In March 2022, a further 850 homes were added to the pilot, including a mix of urban, suburban and rural neighbourhoods. Many felt the scheme was beneficial and supported it being rolled out permanently.

This new food waste collection will improve recycling rates and environmental sustainability. To achieve this, an additional food waste pod will be integrated into new collection vehicles to ensure minimal disruption.

Food waste will be collected alongside general and recycling waste on a weekly basis. Residents will be provided with caddies to collect food waste indoors and an additional container to be stored outside for collection dates.

Whilst helping to improve the environment of North East Lincolnshire, the food waste collections will also offer a great opportunity for residents to gain work, creating numerous jobs in a service that is vital to the community.

Councillor Henry Hudson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero, said: “The council’s priority is for residents to have access to an effective service that is easy to use and delivered right first time. Everyone has a part to play in making sure that we limit the waste we produce and reuse and recycle where we can.

“Under our green ambition we want everyone in North East Lincolnshire to benefit from a green economy and high-quality environment, and we’re committed to cutting our organisation’s carbon emissions.”