Food waste FAQs

Food waste FAQs

When will you be introducing the other changes to comply with the governments simpler recycling reforms? 

Plastic and metal tubes can be recycled in the blue lidded bin from April 2026, we already collect most plastic films, and you will be able to recycle plastic foil (silver lined crisp packets for example) by April 2027. At present we do not intend to separate paper and card collections or to change the black bin collections. We hope to run a trial of kerbside electrical waste collections during 2026.

How can I reduce my food waste?

The weekly food waste collections allow people to see all their food waste in one place, and then appreciate how much food and money is being wasted. The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates the cost of waste food is on average £250 per person per year. You can find information on how to reduce your food waste on the Leicestershire waste partnership website: Love Food Hate Waste | Less Waste (lesswaste.org)

Will businesses need to separate their food waste too?

Yes. Businesses with 10 or more employees have had to do this since April 2025. All businesses will need to have a separate food waste collection by April 2027. Businesses also need to separate their dry recycling. Government guidance is found here: Simpler recycling: Workplace recycling in England (GOV.UK)

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Last updated: 20/01/2026 15:56