Weekly rubbish collections in Solihull scrapped as food waste bins approved

Weekly food waste collections set to be introduced in Solihull in a bid to increase recycling rates

Plans for fortnightly rubbish collections and the introduction of a weekly food waste collection have been backed by Solihull councillors. Currently Solihull Council is one of around only seven per cent of authorities with a weekly waste collection service but councillors heard that, under mandatory government changes, the authority needs to introduce a separate food waste collection.

The authority’s proposals went under the spotlight at the latest meeting of the stronger communities and neighbourhood services scrutiny board on Tuesday, (September 17). Kalen Wood, head of waste and recycling at the authority, explained the changes would make it easier for residents to recycle and increase the amount of recycling.

The officer said the scheme is being funded by government and would see residents provided with a free seven-litre food waste caddy for their kitchen and a free 23-litre caddy to put out on the kerbside. Residents in flats would receive a kitchen caddy and use a shared communal container. Those residents would also initially continue to receive weekly rubbish collections, before later switching to fortnightly.

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Councillors heard collected food waste can be processed to produce fertiliser in agriculture/horticulture and a biogas which can be used to generate electricity. Council analysis shows 40 per cent of current rubbish bin waste from Solihull residents is items which should be in recycling, while 31 per cent is food waste.

“I know a lot of residents are concerned about pests potentially being able to access the food waste - a (locking) handle means the lid is closed so even if the bin is knocked over, the contents won't come out,” the officer said. Councillor Leslie Kaye asked if a sticker could be put on bins to make it clear what should be put in them.

The officer replied that a survey of residents, held in the summer, had shown there was still confusion on this. "If the changes are approved we will draw up a comprehensive communications campaign,” Ms Wood said.

“We intend to, subject to budgets, put a leaflet with the council tax leaflet as that’s a really good way of getting messages out to residents.” Conservative Councillor Josh O’Nyons highlighted residents already had a number of bins.

“Some other local authorities collect food waste mixed with their garden waste,” he said. “Is there a reason why the introduction of our food waste collection can’t be combined?”

Ms Wood explained other authorities were collecting the garden and food waste mix fortnightly, but the changes coming in required weekly food waste collections. “For us (to do that) would significantly increase collection cost,” she said.

Councillor Laura McCarthy asked why rubbish collections could still not continue weekly. The officer answered: “We need to encourage residents to use the food waste collection service.

“Whilst you have got the option to put food waste in a weekly collection of rubbish we are not likely to get the levels of participation we would like.” Councillor Alison Rolf asked: “Can you guarantee me they (bin men) are not going to drop it all over my street like they do with the rubbish in my current bins? That is going to be really unpleasant.”

Councillor Alan Feeney, chairing the meeting, added: “I’m with Councillor Rolf on that one. We do find quite a lot of dropped waste not picked up afterwards.”

The officer responded: “I’d love to give you a 100 per cent guarantee but we are dealing with humans. We would expect them to clear up any mess.

"If they are not doing that we would encourage members of the public to contact us.” Councillors unanimously agreed to support the changes which now need to be rubber stamped by cabinet. The plan is for changes to be introduced in October 2026.

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