New Food Waste Collections
As part of a wider move towards improving recycling and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, new food waste collections are being introduced across the borough. These collections will give residents a simple way to recycle everyday food scraps separately from their general rubbish, helping to cut waste, reduce environmental impact, and support greener waste management across the area.
Food waste might seem small when scraped off a plate or thrown away after cooking, but it quickly adds up. Across the UK, millions of tonnes of food waste are sent to landfill every year. When food breaks down in landfill sites, it produces methane gas, which is far more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide. By separating food waste from normal household rubbish, it can instead be processed and turned into useful resources such as renewable energy and fertiliser.
The new service is designed to make recycling food waste easy and convenient for households. Residents will receive a dedicated food waste caddy to use in the kitchen, along with an outdoor container for collection day. A wide range of food waste items can be included, such as:
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Leftovers and plate scrapings
- Bread, rice and pasta
- Meat and fish (including bones)
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Dairy products
- Expired food removed from packaging
In short: if it’s food, it can usually go in the food waste caddy. That means fewer unpleasant smells in your general waste bin and more rubbish being recycled properly.
The collections form part of national changes to improve recycling consistency and help councils meet environmental targets. They are also expected to reduce pressure on landfill capacity and help households recycle more efficiently overall.
Residents are encouraged to start thinking now about where they might keep their kitchen caddy and how food waste can become part of their normal recycling routine. Even small changes such as separating tea bags or vegetable peelings, can make a significant difference when adopted across the whole community.
There may also be changes to existing waste collection arrangements as the new service is introduced, so it is important for residents to stay up to date with official guidance and collection information.
Further details, including collection arrangements, rollout information, guidance on what can and cannot be included, and answers to frequently asked questions, are available from Chorley Council here:
Chorley Council Food Waste Collections Information
Residents are encouraged to check the latest updates regularly as the scheme develops.