New Separate Food and Garden Waste Collections Launch

Epping Forest District Council in England implemented new separate food and garden waste collections on 31 March 2026. The initiative is designed to reduce waste and improve recycling rates across the district.

This local implementation occurs amid broader changes to waste management across England. According to reporting by the Daily Mail on 9 April 2026, new regulations are introducing weekly food waste collections nationwide, requiring households to separate their waste into a maximum of four different bins to standardize collections.

Operational Challenges and Remediation

The rollout in Epping Forest was met with several operational difficulties. The council reported experiencing minor difficulties involving new collection routes, new vehicles, and new computer systems. There were delivery issues regarding the food waste caddies provided to residents.

To address these teething issues, crews from Terra Verde Services Ltd returned over the Easter weekend to complete collections that had been missed during the first few days of the rollout.

Despite the initial logistical hurdles, the council stated that residents have adopted the service quickly. Approximately 85.6 tonnes of food waste have been collected since the rollout began on 31 March 2026.

Environmental and Economic Rationale

The council noted that separating food waste from garden waste allows both materials to be recycled more effectively, which improves environmental outcomes. This process is described as more cost-effective and efficient than using landfills, helping the district manage disposal costs while maintaining services.

Caddy Distribution and Resident Instructions

The main rollout of kitchen and kerbside caddies has now been completed. For residents who have not yet received their caddies, the council has instructed them to place food waste in their black refuse bins for the time being.

Residents missing their caddies are asked to report the delivery failure using an online general enquiry form. The council stated that once a report is submitted, residents should allow up to 10 working days for the caddy to arrive.

In addition to the food waste service, the council noted that the subscription service for garden waste remains open for residents to sign up.

National Implementation Status

While Epping Forest has launched its service, the transition across England has been uneven. The Daily Mail reported on 9 April 2026 that 25 percent of councils in England are still unable to provide the mandated weekly food waste collections.