Food waste collections - Sept 26

NNC aim to commence a weekly food waste recycling collection to all properties in the former Wellingborough and Kettering Borough Council areas in September 2026. There are no changes to the frequency of collections for current recycling and general waste collections, which will continue on a fortnightly cycle.

With these food waste collections in place, the waste collection services offered across North Northamptonshire will be harmonised, so all residents receive the same level of service.

The benefits of collecting food waste separately on a weekly basis include:

• Removing food waste from the general waste bin, reducing smells from the bin
• Food waste is collected weekly, reducing the chances of attracting pests
• Diverting food waste from general waste reduces disposal costs, helping to keep Council Tax down
• Recycling rates will increase, supporting the Council’s commitments to the environment
• Helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change; food waste is converted into renewable energy and agricultural soil improver/fertilizer

In the month before the collections start, we will be delivering a food waste pack containing:

• a 23-litre green collection container for outdoor use. Residents will place their food waste in this container and present it alongside their wheeled bins for emptying by the crews.
• a 5-litre silver kitchen caddy for indoor use. Residents can place food waste in this caddy before transferring the food waste to the green outdoor collection container. • Instructions on how to use the weekly food waste service.
• Food waste collections will take place each week on the same day as the general waste and recycling bin is emptied.
• Food waste will be collected at a different time on a separate, dedicated vehicle.
• There will be no additional cost to residents for this service.

The following can be accepted as food waste:

• Teabags and coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Raw or cooked meat and fish (including bones)
• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Nutshells
• Leftover food (cooked or uncooked)
• Leftover canned/dry petfood
• Small quantities of cooking oil and fats (soak oil into newspaper or absorbent paper)

The following are not accepted as food waste:

• Garden waste or household flowers/ plants
• Non-food products
• Any packaging, including food packaging
• Plastic bags
• Cat litter or dog faeces

The collected food waste will be recycled locally at an anaerobic digestion plant. This process produces a biogas. Some of this is burned to generate electricity that is fed into the national grid, the remainder is injected directly into the gas grid. The residue is used as an agricultural soil conditioner/fertilizer. Grant funding for the rollout of the service has been provided by central Government as part of their Simpler Recycling initiative to promote recycling. The initial costs for containers and vehicles have been met by Government funding for the introduction of this service.