“"We’d encourage as many residents as possible to have a go at using the food waste collections to see what a help they can be. All those tea bags, coffee grounds, vegetable peelings and meat and fish bones can take up space in household bins, but they will find a good home in the caddies and help free up extra room. The separate weekly waste collection will help keep bin smells to a minimum as people can get uneaten food out of their homes quickly and easily. Plus, recycling food waste can create additional energy and fertiliser to support the growth of new crops. Government legislation requires all local councils to introduce food waste collections, and we hope this service will help as many residents as possible to recycle their food waste in a simple and convenient way."
Wolverhampton Rolls Out Weekly Food Waste Collections
New service aims to boost recycling rates, reduce household bin smells, and create energy from waste.
By Aisha Mahmood
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of food scraps in a kitchen caddy.
The City of Wolverhampton Council has launched weekly food waste collections for residents, encouraging participation to boost recycling rates and reduce household bin odours.
The new collections are being introduced under the government’s Simpler Recycling legislation, which mandates councils across the country to provide the service. The initiative aims to help residents recycle scraps such as plate scrapings, mouldy food, fruit and vegetable peelings, meat and fish bones, eggshells, teabags, and coffee grounds.
Recycling food waste offers several benefits, including transforming leftovers into useful products like green energy and natural fertiliser. It also contributes to reducing carbon footprints and improving soil health. Weekly collections are expected to help minimise household bin smells by removing waste more frequently, and can create more space in domestic bins.
The service also has financial advantages, as millions of tonnes of food waste are discarded annually, costing the average family approximately £1,000 each year, according to WRAP figures. Collected food waste will be processed at an anaerobic digestion facility to generate sustainable energy and fertiliser, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Initially, the food waste pick-ups will occur on residents' usual collection day and are available to all kerbside properties. A wider rollout to flats and communal properties is planned for the coming months.
This new service complements the council’s existing recycling programmes, such as its Check before you chuck bin contamination campaign, the Recycle Rovers schools education programme, and its free collection service for small electricals and batteries. Further information, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available on the City of Wolverhampton Council website.
Based on information from the official source: City of Wolverhampton Council (26/10/2026)
