First look at new food waste caddies arriving in Lancashire ahead of weekly recycling rollout
Residents across Lancashire are getting their first look at the new food waste caddies that will soon be delivered to homes as councils prepare to introduce weekly collections.
Preston City Council has revealed the containers after confirming that 60,000 outdoor food waste caddies have arrived and deliveries will begin next week.
The bins are part of a nationwide overhaul of recycling rules that will affect households across the region, including Blackpool.
Under the Government’s Simpler Recycling legislation, all councils in England must introduce separate food waste collections to help boost recycling rates and reduce the amount of rubbish being burned or sent to landfill.
What households will receive
Each household will receive:
- A 7-litre indoor kitchen caddy
- A 23-litre outdoor food waste caddy
- A supply of liners
- A guide explaining how to recycle food waste
Residents are being asked not to start using the caddies until collections officially begin in April.
Flats and properties with communal waste arrangements will be assessed separately and may receive containers after the service launches.
Food waste including leftovers, fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, meat and fish can all go into the new caddies.
Liquids, packaging and non-food items are not permitted.
The outdoor container will be emptied weekly on the same day as existing bin collections.
Why the change is happening
Councils say even small amounts of food waste recycling can make a difference.
Once collected, food waste is processed into compost-like material used for land restoration rather than being incinerated.
Separating food waste is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut smells from general waste bins and help households think more carefully about food waste.
What it means for Blackpool
Blackpool Council is also preparing to introduce weekly food waste collections as part of the same national scheme.
Households in the resort will receive similar indoor and outdoor caddies ahead of the launch.
The change forms part of wider updates to Blackpool’s waste system, including new bins and a shift to a three-weekly general waste collection cycle from April 2026.
The Government has set a national target to recycle 65% of household waste by 2035, and separating food waste is seen as a key step toward reaching that goal.
Residents are being reminded that no amount of food waste is too small to recycle - even tea bags and fruit peelings count.