Food waste collections delayed until next year

Herefordshire Council has been accused of "kicking the can down the road" over delays with bringing in kerbside food waste collections for residents.

The weekly service, which was due to be introduced three months ago, will not be in place until next year, the authority confirmed.

A spokesperson said providing a food waste collection service to residents was a "national requirement" but it would cost the county more than £2m a year to run.

"Since the government confirmed council funding earlier this year, work has continued on the plans and costs for introducing the service," they added.

The council confirmed it had received £1.85m to cover the cost of new food caddies and collection vehicles for the service, but not to cover its running costs.

Councillor Stef Simmons, leader of the Green group, said food waste collections were "long overdue" in Herefordshire and should "give residents access to the modern waste services available across much of the UK".

"Residents are rightly asking why they are being left behind," she said.

"The administration can't keep kicking the food waste can down the road."

According to waste reduction charity WRAP, three-quarters of local authorities have already introduced domestic food waste collections.

Rules requiring weekly food waste collections for all homes in England came into force on 31 March, but a number of councils were unable to offer the service by the deadline.

Sue Reed, WRAP delivery lead for England and Northern Ireland, said food waste was "a huge environment and social issue".

She said the charity and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs were working closely with individual councils to understand challenges and provide any support.

"We understand that Herefordshire Council remains committed to implementing a separate food waste collection when resources allow," she said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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