Sheffield's food waste collection scheme to be delayed for up to 15 years

Sheffield households may not get a separate food waste collection service until 2038

A scheme to collect food waste from homes in Sheffield each week has been delayed for up to 15 years.

The city council trialled the scheme with 8,200 households in summer 2022 as part of a recycling reform.

The government announced in October that local authorities in England must provide a weekly food waste collection service by March 2026.

However, Sheffield councillors have asked for a delay due to a contract with waste collection firm Veolia.

Currently, all households in Sheffield are provided with separate bin collections for non-recyclable waste, paper and card as well as glass, cans and plastic bottles.

Households can also opt to recycle garden waste using the chargeable green bin service.

The introduction of a food waste collection service would mean households received a small kitchen caddy and an additional outside bin.

When announcing the plans, the government said it hoped this would make recycling simpler as well as reduce "an excessive number of bins".

On Wednesday, Sheffield City Council's Waste and Street Scene Committee voted to ask the government to defer the implementation of the scheme in Sheffield until 2038.

The date marks the end of the council's contract with Veolia.

'Not on the rear'

Lib Dem councillor Joe Otten, chair of the committee, said he was "disappointed" by the decision to apply for a postponement.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield: "Sheffield ought to be at the front and not on the rear of issues likes this.

"Realistically, it is unlikely that we will go ahead any sooner than we have to."

In the committee's report, it said the new food waste collection service would require new vehicles, additional staffing as well as infrastructure development.

It said a deferment would provide the council with the opportunity to use the £3m earmarked for food waste for 2025/26 for the delivery of alternative climate change projects.

If the deferral is granted, the government would contact the council annually to discuss whether the scheme could still be introduced sooner.