New food waste bins arriving at homes across Lancashire - what residents need to know
New food waste bins are now starting to arrive at homes across Lancashire as councils prepare to introduce weekly food waste recycling collections.
Households in areas including Blackpool, Wyre, Fylde and Preston will soon be asked to separate food waste from their general rubbish as part of national recycling changes coming into force this year.
The changes are part of the UK Government’s Simpler Recycling scheme, which aims to make recycling services more consistent across the country and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or incineration.
Under the new system, residents will be given a small kitchen caddy for food scraps and a larger outdoor food waste bin, which will be collected weekly by their district council.
What residents will receive
Most households will receive three items to help them start recycling food waste:
- A small kitchen caddy to keep indoors
- A roll of liners to place inside the caddy
- A larger outdoor food waste bin, which will be emptied weekly
Residents will be able to place food waste in the kitchen caddy using the liners, tie them up when full and transfer them to the outdoor bin ready for collection.
The outdoor bin should then be placed out for collection by 7am on the usual recycling day.
What food waste can be recycled
The new collections will accept a wide range of food waste, including:
- Leftover food and plate scrapings
- Bread, cakes and pastries
- Dairy products
- Eggs and eggshells
- Fruit and vegetables, including peelings
- Out-of-date or mouldy food
- Raw or cooked meat and fish, including bones
- Pet food
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
When collections will begin
Different Lancashire councils will begin the new service at different times.
In Blackpool, weekly food waste collections will begin from the week starting April 20, 2026, with caddies being delivered to households from March.
Wyre Council will begin its weekly collections from April 13, with caddies being delivered between February and March.
In Preston, weekly food waste collections are also due to begin on Monday, April 20, although some properties such as flats and homes with communal waste systems will receive the service later.
Meanwhile, Fylde Council has said its food waste collections will begin in autumn 2026, after delays in securing the new vehicles needed for the service.
Why the changes are being introduced
The government hopes the new collections will increase recycling rates across England.
A national recycling target of 65% by 2035 has been set for local authorities.
Food waste sent to landfill produces methane as it breaks down, a greenhouse gas that is significantly more harmful than carbon dioxide.
When recycled instead, food waste can be processed at specialist facilities where it is converted into renewable energy such as biogas or fertiliser used in farming.
What councils say
Councillor Jane Hugo, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “Our current recycling rate stands at 40.5%, so we’re still a bit away from the government’s target of 65%.
“By making small changes at home and continuing to support recycling in our community, I believe that we can get there together.”
Coun Freddie Bailey, cabinet member for environment and community safety at Preston City Council, said: “We are pleased to introduce Preston’s new weekly food waste collection service.
“Everyone has unavoidable food waste, such as eggshells, tea bags or banana skins. This service not only helps households recycle more but also keeps general waste bins cleaner and less full.”
Residents are being asked to continue putting food waste in their usual bins until the new weekly collections officially begin in their area.