We are gearing up for the introduction of our new food waste collections after we received 42,000 new bins.

The small, brown 23 litre bins will be used specifically for food waste and will complement the existing three bin system we operate when it starts in 2026.

In 2021 it became a legal requirement for all councils across England to introduce weekly food waste collections, and it was confirmed in October 2023 that this new service must be provided by the end of March 2026.

Although the bins will not be delivered to households until the early part of 2026, receiving the bins is the first part of our implementation plan that will see food waste recycling integrated into our waste and recycling service.

Cabinet Member for the Environment Anne Clarke said, “We have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to implement this new system and it may still seem some time off, but March 2026 will soon be upon us and the delivery of these bins really makes the project come to life.”

Figures gathered show that 24% of all household waste collected in Bolsover District gets taken to incineration. By collecting it separately, food waste can be composted and turned in to a re-usable product such as soil conditioner.

Food waste such as egg shells, fish and meat bones, vegetable peelings and scraps left over from people’s cooked meals can all be placed in the small food waste bin and will be collected on a weekly basis, starting by the end of March 2026.

Councillor Clarke added, “Food waste recycling is an important part of increasing the amount of waste we recycle, which reduces our impact on the environment and helps to tackle climate change. Hopefully when residents see how much food waste they discard of, it will help to re-educate their cooking and spending choice patterns.

“By providing these new smaller bins, it will help us provide our residents with another opportunity to do their bit and reduce what we send to landfill or incinerate.”

In addition to the 42,000 bins, we have ordered and are awaiting delivery of seven new refuse vehicles specially designed to collect the food waste.

We will be providing more information to households on the new collections, what can and cannot be placed in the bins and the benefits of recycling food waste.

We want to reassure residents that there will be no change to their wheeled bin collections (black, burgundy and green) when this new system is introduced, as we will continue to provide the same level of service enjoyed which will be enhanced by the new much smaller food waste bin.