New weekly food waste collections to launch alongside household bin collection changes in Blackpool 

New weekly food waste collections are to launch alongside household bin collection changes in Blackpool.

This will include the rollout of weekly food waste collections and see changes introduced to bin collection days for many residents.  

From the week commencing 20 April, households will begin receiving a new weekly food waste collection service. This forms part of national changes introduced by the government, aimed at reducing the amount of food waste and increasing recycling rates.  

In Blackpool, the council will also be making local changes to waste and recycling.  

This includes new and larger bins, moving from a fortnightly to a three-weekly bin collection cycle for grey-lid, blue lid and brown-lid bins, alongside the new weekly food waste collections and more.  

Residents will be provided with the appropriate food caddies and liners, plus handy guidance on how to use the new service.  

Food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is broken down to produce biogas - a source of renewable energy that can generate electricity. 

In the process, a digestate which is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements required for healthy plant growth and fertile soil is produced and can be used by farmers as a soil fertiliser.   

The liners are mechanically split open, separated from food waste and then processed into refuse-derived fuel.  

Alongside the introduction of food waste collections, bin collections are changing from fortnightly to three-weekly meaning there will be a change in collection day for many households across the borough.  

These changes are necessary to accommodate the new service and ensure collections can be delivered efficiently. 

All households that currently receive wheeled bin collections can now check their new collection schedule online at: www.blackpool.gov.uk/BinDay.  

 Councillor Jane Hugo, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment at Blackpool Council, said:  “We’re making it easier for residents to recycle more and waste less.  

“The introduction of weekly food waste collections, alongside updated bin schedules, is an important step in improving our overall waste service.  

“By separating food waste, we can reduce landfill use, lower emissions and make better use of resources that would otherwise go to waste.”  

Director Policy & Performance at Enveco NW, Paula Ramsay said: “We’re proud to be leading the delivery of these important service changes on behalf of Blackpool Council.  

“Our teams have been working closely together behind the scenes to prepare for this rollout and we’re committed to ensuring a smooth as possible transition for residents. 

“The introduction of weekly food waste collections is a significant step forward for the town, helping to reduce waste and improve recycling rates.” 

No changes are being introduced currently for households on red sack collections; however, options to increase recycling provision for these households are currently being explored.