Food waste from homes in Lincolnshire is set to get a new lease on life. Starting in early 2026, new weekly collections will transform this waste into renewable energy and fertilizer through anaerobic digestion.
Under this program, unavoidable food waste will be collected separately from regular trash. This waste will then be sent to a local facility where it’ll be broken down. The process will produce biogas that can be used to generate energy, along with nutrient-rich digestate that can be applied on farms.
In January and February, residents in the first areas to receive this service will get small food waste caddies and information packs. These will explain how the service works, what can be recycled, and when collections will start.
This initiative is part of the UK government’s Simpler Recycling reforms. The goal is to make recycling easier and more consistent across England. Lincolnshire County Council is collaborating with local councils to introduce this service in phases, meaning different areas will start on different dates.
Cllr Danny Brookes, Chair of the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership, emphasized the advantages of this new service. He noted, “It will simplify recycling for households and ensure that food waste is turned into something useful. Residents will receive easy-to-follow guidance on getting involved.”
Once the service begins, residents can place food scraps into small kitchen caddies with provided liners. These liners will be transferred to an outdoor caddy for collection, keeping food waste separate from other rubbish.
By doing this, councils hope to cut down on biodegradable waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators, which can produce harmful greenhouse gases. Instead, this waste will be a resource, supporting the local economy and sustainability efforts.
The phased rollout will see the first collections kick off shortly after the caddies are delivered. Other parts of Lincolnshire will follow later in the year.
Experts highlight that initiatives like this can make a significant difference in managing food waste. According to a recent survey by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), approximately 1.4 million tonnes of food waste is generated annually in the UK, much of which is avoidable. Programs that make recycling straightforward can encourage more people to participate, which is essential for environmental health.
In summary, Lincolnshire’s new food waste collection service aims to make recycling easier, help the environment, and convert waste into valuable resources for energy and agriculture. Measuring its impact will show how much food waste can be repurposed and how local ecosystems can benefit in the long run.
