Some people still awaiting food bins after thefts

Residents in Coventry have been urged to contact the city council if they have not received new food waste collection caddies, after a spate of thefts.

Food waste collections began on Monday across the city, with the local authority saying more than three-and-a-half tonnes had been picked up on the first day alone.

However, some residents said days before the rollout they had still not received their new bins.

Sarah Elliott, the council's head of fleet and waste management, said some households might have missed out after caddies were stolen from street pavements shortly after delivery began in June and July, and urged residents to get in touch.

She also said that there were "pockets" around the city that might still not have had caddies delivered.

"If residents haven't got theirs by now, report it to us and give us a call - we will get out and address that," Elliott added.

She said an extra stock of caddies would be available from libraries and selected council hubs.

Regarding collections this week, Elliot said: "We are hoping the amount gets bigger as more people are aware of it, but we are really pleased with that."

The scheme uses two types of containers. Households will receive a 23-litre food waste bin, while people living in flats and high-rise blocks will be given a smaller caddy to empty into communal food waste bins.

The council said caddies issued to flat residents included a supply of compostable liners to help prevent smells. Once those run out, residents can buy replacement compostable liners from shops.

One resident from Binley said he only discovered collections were starting after receiving an email a few days beforehand.

Elliott said all delivered caddies should have included information packs, but added that guidance is also available on the council's website.

Food waste will be collected on residents' usual bin collection day when placed alongside regular household waste.

The bins are part of a wider government strategy introduced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2025.

Coventry is the penultimate local authority in Coventry and Warwickshire to introduce separate food waste collections, with Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council yet to launch its scheme.

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