Food waste bins to be added in collection changes

Blaby District Council properties currently have three bins

Changes to waste and recycling services have been approved by a council in Leicestershire.

Blaby District Council's cabinet discussed the changes on Monday and backed plans to stop the collection of extra cardboard left at the side of bins from November, and to introduce a weekly food waste service.

The decision followed a six-week consultation which invited residents to give their views on the possible changes.

The approval means new collections will begin from 30 March next year, with households receiving two food waste caddies beforehand - a seven-litre indoor one and a lockable 23-litre caddy for outside.

Households will also receive a starter pack of 50 kitchen caddy liner bags and an information leaflet.

From November, all cardboard needs to be placed inside recycling bins with the lid closed, the council said, and mitigation will be in place for vulnerable residents who need help breaking down cardboard.

Eligible households may also request a larger or extra recycling bin to cope with any extra cardboard.

The council said "overall" there was support for both changes, with eight out of 10 respondents saying they rarely or never put out excess cardboard.

For food waste, six out of 10 respondents said they were very or fairly likely to use the new service, but just over half were opposed to the introduction of the service, the council added.

The change is a directive from central government as part of its Simpler Recycling reforms.

Nigel Grundy, portfolio holder for neighbourhood services and assets, said: "The consultation has allowed us to review our plans and act on concerns.

"Ensuring all cardboard waste is only collected when it is inside the recycling bin will help keep our streets tidier, as the cardboard can't get blown away.

"It will also ensure the safety of our crews as they won't be manually loading waste which can prove hazardous close to moving machinery."

He added that the changes would help prevent food waste going unnecessarily to landfill.