Weekly food waste collections in Harborough district set to be delayed until April next year

Earlier this year, Harborough District Council (HDC) announced the date of November 3 for the start of the new collection.

But now cabinet members will consider the proposal at their meeting on July 27 to move the date to April 1, 2027, following delays to the delivery of the specialist vehicle fleet needed to operate the new service.

Cllr David Page, cabinet lead for neighbourhood services, said: “We remain fully committed to introducing weekly food waste collections for residents, but it is important that we launch the service at the right time and in the most effective way.

“The delay to the delivery of the specialist collection vehicles is outside the council’s control. By moving the start date to April 2027, we can avoid introducing a significant new service during the busiest period of the year for waste collections, while also aligning it with our new environmental services contract.

“This approach provides the best value for money, avoids unnecessary contractual and staffing complications, and ensures the service is delivered successfully from day one.

“Food waste collections will help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, improve recycling rates and support our environmental ambitions, and we look forward to bringing this important new service to residents next year.”

The introduction of separate weekly food waste collections is a statutory requirement under the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms and forms part of national plans to "increase recycling, reduce waste sent to landfill and deliver environmental benefits".

If approved, every household will receive a seven-litre caddy for indoor use and a 23-litre for presentation on the kerbside each week, information about the new service and an initial supply of biodegradable liners before collections begin.

A spokesperson for HDC said: "The council has already completed the procurement of the specialist vehicles and food waste caddies, while communications and delivery plans are being developed ahead of the service launch.

"Once cabinet has considered the report, the council will update the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the revised implementation timetable."

The report cabinet will consider can be found at: www.harborough.gov.uk/latest-updates

For further details about food waste collections visit: www.harborough.gov.uk/info/20007/environmental_services/621/food_waste