Food waste collections to begin in autumn

Households in Bradford are to receive food waste bins and kitchen caddies ahead of the start of weekly collections in autumn.

Bradford Council is set to change its bin policies under new national waste and recycling legislation that requires the authority to start weekly food waste collections and increase recycling rates.

The legislation requires councils to achieve a 65% household recycling rate by 2035 and halve household waste by 2042.

Richard Galthen, head of fleet and waste at Bradford Council, said: "These policies will help us continue our journey to reduce waste, improve recycling rates and create a more sustainable district."

The weekly food waste collections will begin in September 2026 and all residents will receive external 27-litre food waste bins and a five-litre kitchen caddy.

The bins can be used for uneaten food and plate scrapings, out-of-date food, tea bags and coffee grounds, pet food, peelings and eggshells, and raw or cooked meat or fish, including bones.

A report to the Council's Executive Committee on 14 April sets out the changes and the council's current recycling policy, which includes a four-weekly paid-for garden waste collection and alternate weekly general and recycling waste.

According to the report, Bradford Council collects and receives more than 200,000 tonnes of waste per year.

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