The launch of weekly food waste collections for households in and around Boston has been delayed (having been hampered by disruption to the Strait of Hormuz) – but a start date is now known. However, residents are being advised side-waste collections are set to stop.

Earlier this summer, more than 32,000 households across the borough received a food waste recycling kit.

This comprised: a small indoor food waste caddy, a larger outdoor food waste caddy, an initial roll of liners, and an information guide explaining how to use the service.

While the service was scheduled to begin in September, this has now been revised to October – the week commencing October 19, specifically.

placeholder image — The food waste recycling delivery pack.

Boston Borough Council says this follows ‘ongoing reviews of collection rounds and the delivery timetable for the new collection vehicles’.

“The delivery timetable for some of the new vehicles has been affected by delays in obtaining parts, with shipments held up due to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz,” a spokesman said.

The Strait of Hormuz has been making international news since the US and Israel began strikes on Iran at the end of February. In response to the attacks, Iran closed the busy shipping channel, leading to widespread disruption.

Residents who have already received their indoor and outdoor food waste caddies are asked to continue storing them safely and not to start using them yet, the council says.

Boston Borough Council's base in West Street.

Ahead of the launch of the food waste recycling service, households will receive further information through the post, including their collection calendar and confirmation of when they should begin using their caddies.

Once the service begins, residents will be able to recycle their food waste every week, helping to keep food waste out of their general waste bin and allowing it to be recycled into clean energy and fertiliser, the council adds.

Side-waste collection change

Alongside this, residents are also being advised of a change to the way additional waste presented alongside general waste and mixed dry recycling bins is collected.

From the week commencing September 21, households regularly presenting side-waste will begin to see information tags placed on their bins. During this ‘awareness period’, the additional waste will still be collected, but the tag will remind residents of the forthcoming change, the council says.

From the week commencing October 26, side-waste presented alongside general waste or mixed dry recycling bins will no longer be accepted, it says. All waste and recycling must be contained within the appropriate bin with the lid closed, the council advises.

The council says it recognises that some households may have circumstances that mean they need extra bin capacity.

Residents who feel they may require additional waste or recycling capacity are encouraged to contact the council. Applications will be assessed against the relevant eligibility criteria and, where these are met, additional bin capacity will be provided.

Coun Callum Butler, portfolio holder for environmental services at Boston Borough Council, said: “We know many residents are keen to get started with their new food waste service, and we are grateful for their patience while we complete the final preparations.

“Moving the start to October gives us the time needed to complete our collection round reviews and ensure the vehicles and operational arrangements are in place so we can introduce the service as smoothly as possible.

“We will make sure residents have the information they need before collections begin, so for now we are asking everyone to keep their caddies somewhere safe and wait for their collection information before they start using them.

“The introduction of weekly food waste collections is also an important opportunity to reduce the amount of waste going into general waste bins. Alongside this, we will be supporting residents ahead of the change to side waste collections, with an awareness period beginning in September before the new arrangements take effect. We understand that some households may need additional bin capacity, and residents who believe they require extra provision should contact the council so their circumstances can be assessed.”

Further information about food waste collections is available on the Boston Borough Council website.