New food waste collection on its way

Changes to recycling and waste in Luton will begin this year, including the significant addition of separate food waste collection. Caddies for food waste, and instructions for using them, will be delivered towards the end of February. The new collections will then begin in late March.

Food waste collection was temporarily trialled in the Barnfield and Saints wards in 2019. Participation rates were 44%, which is above average nationally. The trial was extended for a further six months, before being overtaken by the Covid-19 pandemic and a lack of funding.

New government guidelines have since been introduced that require separate food waste collection across the country. The new rules were initially set in motion under the Conservatives in 2023, aiming to reduce the ‘postcode lottery’ of different waste practices between councils.

Drawing on best practice from those who already run collections, the guidance stipulates that collection should be weekly, and that households should have two bins: a smaller one to keep in the kitchen, and a large one to take to the kerb. The larger ones have lockable lids to keep animals out.

Alongside food waste, glass collections will change from monthly to every two weeks. Existing schedules for general waste and recycling will stay the same.

These changes will hopefully raise glass recycling rates in the town, and reduce food waste overall. Previous studies have shown that up to 40% of Luton’s black bins was food waste. Separate collection will prevent this organic material going to landfill or incineration, and will redirect it to become fertiliser or for use in biogas instead. This is a more environmentally friendly solution, though it is more expensive.

Benefits to households include greater awareness of food waste, and the opportunity to save money by reducing it. There should also be a reduction in mess and odours, as food waste previously put into black bins was only picked up every fortnight.

For more detail, see the Simpler Recycling pages on the council website, and look out for your caddy delivery in the coming weeks.