The new food waste recycling scheme starts at the end of March but the bis are arriving in the next few weeks
This is a typical grey bin for the kitchen with food waste in it(Image: DCC)
Households across the city should be prepared to receive more recycling bins during January in preparation for a new weekly food waste recycling service from the end of March.
The change is part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms under the Environment Act 2021, which require all councils to introduce separate weekly food waste collections.
Every city household will receive:
One 23-litre, 40cm tall, green outdoor food waste container with a lockable lidOne 5-litre, 20cm tall, light grey indoor kitchen caddy with a lockable lidA printed guide explaining how to use the new service.
The small grey caddy is for the kitchen to collect food waste. Unlike home composting, this recycling process allows residents to line their caddy with any type of bag — such as bread bags, frozen food bags, carrier bags, plastic or compostable liners. All types of food can be included, from plate scrapings to bones, dairy products, bread, fruit and vegetables. Once full, the bag can be tied and transferred to the larger green container, which is stored outdoors for weekly collection by our teams.
Food waste makes up around one third of the average black bin by weight in Derby. Collecting it separately each week will mean:
Less full black binsLower disposal costs – it costs nearly six times more to dispose of food waste in black bins than to recycle itHigher recycling rates for the cityRenewable energy and natural fertiliser created from wasteMoney saved at home – with more food waste awareness, the average family could save around £1,000 a year by wasting less food.
To deliver the new service, the Government has provided £2.7m in funding. This is being used to purchase 14 new collection vehicles, recruit new staff, provide new containers for household and deliver guidance and communications to residents.
Until March 30, 2026, food waste can continue to go in brown bins alongside garden waste. From March 31, 2026: food waste should only go in the new green container. Brown bins will be for garden waste only, and black bins will be for general rubbish that cannot be recycled.
Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, city council cabinet member for Streetpride, public safety and leisure, said: “This is one of the biggest changes to our waste and recycling services in recent years. By recycling food waste, households will benefit from more regular collections, as well as the feel-good factor from managing their waste more sustainably.
“At the same time, we will reduce harmful greenhouse gases, generate renewable energy and provide natural fertiliser for farming. Over the coming months, we will keep residents informed and help them prepare for the change.”
More information about the new weekly food waste collections can be found on derby.gov.uk/bins