One in four councils will miss food waste collection deadline

Defra has said weekly food waste collections will be introduced for every household next month under new legislation, but a BBC investigation found almost one in four English councils do not expect to meet that deadline; some councils have later start agreements or plan rollouts into 2026 and beyond.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that weekly food waste collections will be introduced for every household in England from next month under the Simpler Recycling legislation. A BBC investigation contacted local authorities and found that many councils say they will not meet that deadline. Councils have pointed to high demand for specialist collection vehicles and concerns about ongoing revenue funding despite government grants. Some councils have secured later start-date agreements or are planning phased rollouts. What is known: - Defra announced the new legislation would require weekly food waste collections for every household in England from next month. - The BBC found more than 70 councils say they will not meet that deadline, which is roughly one in four councils. - At least 56 councils are aiming to launch full household coverage by the end of 2026, and nine could not give an approximate start date. - Councils report vehicle supply pressures and concerns about revenue funding; 31 councils have agreements allowing a later official start date. Summary: The policy is intended to standardise recycling collections across England, but the rollout is uneven because many local authorities report equipment and funding challenges. Several councils plan phased introductions or later start dates, and the timing for full national coverage is undetermined at this time.