Set to roll out by 2025, this new initiative aims to reduce waste, increase recycling, and help combat climate change.
Havering Council is gearing up to introduce a separate food waste service as part of its weekly waste collections, following the Government’s mandate under the Environment Act 2019. The Act requires all councils across the UK to implement separate food waste collections by March 2026, with limited funding provided to support the transition. At the Cabinet meeting held on 22 January 2025, members agreed to move forward with plans for the new service, which is expected to begin later this year.
The service will be rolled out in stages, with the aim of full implementation by October 2025. Havering Council has already initiated the process by purchasing food caddies and containers for residents to use in preparing their food waste for collection. To ensure that residents are fully informed about the changes, a borough-wide survey was conducted late last year to gather feedback on how the service should be structured and what support residents would need. The results from this survey will play a crucial role in shaping the final service design.
The introduction of this separate food waste collection service aligns with the goals outlined in Havering’s Climate Change Action Plan 2024-2027. The plan’s primary focus is to reduce waste across the borough and increase recycling rates, while also helping residents save money by cutting down on the amount of food waste that goes to landfill. On average, households waste approximately £470 per year by throwing away food that could otherwise be repurposed. Collecting food waste separately provides an opportunity to recycle it into valuable resources such as fertiliser and biogas, which can be used to generate renewable energy.
Food items eligible for separate collection include food scraps, eggshells, cooked and raw meat and fish (including bones), bread, rice, pasta, teabags, coffee grounds, and fruit and vegetable waste. The initiative is not just about waste reduction—it is a crucial step towards lowering Havering’s carbon footprint and further decreasing the reliance on landfill sites.
The Council is committed to keeping residents informed as the service develops. More details will be shared via the Living in Havering e-newsletter, letters and leaflets to households, and through the Council’s social media channels. Additionally, the Council’s Waste and Recycling Team will host a series of engagement sessions across the borough to address any concerns and provide further information about the food caddies, containers, and liners required for the service.
“Separate food waste collections will mean that scraps and leftover food can be put towards generating something useful, such as electricity.” – Councillor Ray Morgon
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, spoke about the importance of the initiative: “The introduction of a separate food waste collection is something we have to do by law. We’re receiving limited funding from the Government to run the service, but we’re disappointed that it doesn’t cover the full costs, and we’ll be lobbying to fix this. Collecting our food waste separately will help us reduce the amount of waste we create and manage it in a greener, cleaner way.”
He continued, “The aim of the service is to support residents, including our school children, in learning how they can play their part in making Havering a more sustainable borough. Separate food waste collections will mean that scraps and leftover food can be put towards generating something useful, such as electricity. It is vital we all do what we can to reduce the impact we have on the environment around us.”
With the launch of this new service, Havering is taking significant steps towards environmental sustainability, engaging residents in responsible waste management, and contributing to the borough’s broader climate action goals. As the details of the service continue to unfold, residents are encouraged to stay engaged and be part of this important environmental shift.
