Council to launch glass and food waste collections

Households in Kirklees face a "once-in-a-generation" change in recycling from 2028

Glass and food waste recycling collections are to be introduced in Kirklees in a major change to services in the district.

The move is the result of government plans to standardise bin collections across England from 2026.

However, the changes will not come into force in Kirklees before 2028 after the council was granted an exemption in order to complete its existing contract with SUEZ.

Kirklees Council said the new model would require major changes to its current recycling model, with new bins, equipment and infrastructure needed to deliver the service.

Under the government's Simpler Recycling initiative all councils in England will have to collect residual waste or non-recyclable material, dry recyclables including glass and metal and paper and cards, and food waste.

Once the changes come in homes are expected to have a minimum of three wheelie bins and a 23 litre caddy for food waste, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Tyler Hawkins, cabinet member for highways and waste in Kirklees, said: "The government's Simpler Recycling plan gives us the opportunity to make a once-in-a-generation improvement to the service for all households in Kirklees.

"These are big changes so we need to plan them carefully to get the new service right for residents."

He said they would also need to invest in new equipment and infrastructure and would take their time and "engage with communities".

"While we plan these improvements for the future, we need to make sure we're getting the basics right in the current service," he added.

Kirklees is one of a number of authorities faced with making changes, neighbouring Leeds City Council introduced bins for glass waste for the first time last year.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.