Phase 1 of the service began on Monday 12 October, serving more than 10,200 households without altering existing bin collection schedules. The initiative is supported by a £1 million DEFRA grant and is being rolled out in four phases, with Phase 2 scheduled for spring 2027.
This new collection scheme is part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, designed to increase recycling rates to meet the national target of recycling 65% of household waste by 2035. The collected food waste will be processed through anaerobic digestion to produce renewable energy, diverting it from landfill.
Residents are advised to place their outdoor caddies at the front of their property, closest to the road, by 7am on their usual collection day, ensuring the handle is locked upright. This instruction applies even if bins are typically collected from the rear of the property.
Councillor Michelle Morris, Lead Member for Customer and Operational Services, praised the community's response: “What a fantastic first week. Thank you to every household that has put their caddy out – you’ve shown just how much difference small changes at home can make. As with any new service, there have been a few teething problems, and we know some residents have had issues with their caddies being collected. These have now been addressed, and we look forward to collecting even more next week as residents embrace the new service.”
The council's food waste team will host drop-in sessions at St Annes Town Hall to provide support and answer questions about the new service. No booking is required. Sessions are scheduled for: Wednesday 21 October (9am-1pm), Thursday 29 October (9am-12pm), Tuesday 3 November (9am-1pm), Thursday 5 November (9am-12pm), and Wednesday 11 November (9am-12pm).
Further information is available at www.fylde.gov.uk/foodwaste. Residents can stay updated on Fylde Council news by following social media channels or subscribing to updates.
