Weekly food waste collections are coming to most households in Charnwood from Monday 2 November 2026. Charnwood Borough Council is rolling out the new service in partnership with Serco, its recycling and waste partner.
Residents' bin collection days will not change. The council will deliver caddy packs to homes from the end of September, with deliveries taking a few weeks to complete.
What residents will receive
Each home will get a caddy pack containing two caddies — one for use indoors and one to place outside for collection — plus a roll of liners for the indoor caddy and information about the service.
Residents are advised to only start recycling food waste the week before their first collection begins.
Communal properties delayed to 2027
Collections for households with communal bin store areas are scheduled to start in 2027. This applies to residents in flat blocks and sheltered accommodation that share communal bin stores.
Why food waste collection is happening
The new service is being introduced to meet the Government's Simpler Recycling rules, which require all councils in England to collect food waste separately. The aim is to reduce the amount of waste in black bins and cut carbon emissions.
Collected food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it generates biogas — a renewable energy used as a cleaner and cheaper alternative to fossil fuels. The process also produces nutrient-rich fertiliser for farms.
Cllr Beverley Gray, Lead Member for Climate Action and Net Zero, said: "Recycling food waste is a small action that can make a real difference to the environment and future generations. No amount is too little – even a single banana skin can generate enough renewable energy to charge two smartphones."
Further information and top tips about the service will be shared across the council's communication channels in the coming weeks.