Everything you need to know about Wolverhampton waste collection changes coming this autumn

This is everything you need to know about Wolverhampton’s bin collections ahead of changes coming this autumn.

City of Wolverhampton Council have announced that they will be introducing food waste collection services later this year, in line with the governments new Simpler Recycling Legislation.

It was announced last year that the authority expects to spend £1.3m on 10 new food waste vehicles to join its fleet of bin lorries. The council previously scrapped food waste collections as part of £2.4m budget cuts in 2018.

But it is estimated about 30% of 70,000 residual waste the council collects each year could be food waste.

The 10 new lorries would be paid for with money from the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, and buying them outright would be cheaper than leasing the vehicles, the council said. The cabinet report added collecting food waste would "reduce environmental hazards, support cleaner neighbourhoods, and promote better hygiene standards".

But what do these changes mean for Wolverhampton residents? Here is everything you need to know:

When will the collections start?

City of Wolverhampton Council have confirmed that the changes will roll out this autumn - with updates on how it will operate yet to be fully announced.

In a statement, the authority said: “The government has introduced a requirement for all councils to deliver a food waste collection service under its Simpler Recycling legislation.

“As a result, demand on suitable collection vehicles and related equipment has been extremely high. We have recently secured these items and intend to launch the weekly service to residents during the autumn.

“Collections will be available to all kerbside properties initially, with a further roll out to flats and other properties following at a later date. Further information about the free service and how residents can get involved will be shared during the coming months.”

Why is this happening?

Simpler Recycling, a UK government initiative, mandates the separation of food waste from general waste to increase recycling rates and reduce landfill use.

All food waste—including leftovers, peelings, tea bags, and coffee grounds— must be separated at the source (workplace or home) and not included in general waste.

What about rubbish I have to dispose of now?

City of Wolverhampton Council currently provides the following fortnightly collections:

• general waste (green/brown bin)
• recycling (black bin)
• optional paid garden waste subscriptions (purple bin).

Households can check their collection days on the council’s website.

What goes in my bin?

Wolverhampton council have guidance on what goes in the bin currently being collected.

Items that can be put into your recycling bin:

• aerosols
• cardboard (e.g. cereal boxes, delivery boxes, cardboard envelopes - remove plastic inserts, polystyrene and packing tape)
• drink cans
• foil packaging
• food tins - empty and rinse out
• glass bottles and jars - empty and rinse out
• household plastic bottles – where possible, remove any pumps (eg shampoo, washing-up liquid, bleach)
• newspapers, magazines and catalogues
• paper (e.g. computer paper, envelopes, flyers, leaflets)
• paper bags
• greetings cards without glitter
• plastic drinks bottles (e.g. milk, squash, pop bottles)
• plastic packaging - empty, rinse out and remove any film/soft plastic lids or absorbent pads in the bottom (e.g. margarine tubs, yoghurt pots, food trays)
• food and drink cartons (e.g. juice, soup, milk)

Items that can be put into your general waste bin:

• bread bags
• CDs, DVDs and videos
• cigarette ends
• coat hangers
• soft plastic wrappers (e.g. crisp and sweet wrappers)
• drinking glasses
• food waste
• nappies
• pet waste
• plastic bags
• polystyrene
• pyrex dishes
• razor blades
• rope and string
• sanitary products
• thin plastics such as cling film
• tissues
• wallpaper and wrapping paper

Items that can go in a paid-for garden waste bin:

• grass cuttings
• hedge clippings
• leaves
• small branches
• tree prunings
• twigs
• weeds
• woody green waste up to six inches in diameter
• real Christmas trees

For further information, visit the What Goes In My Bins page on the council website.

Why might I see a tag on my bin?

Orange tags are placed on any recycling bins that contain the incorrect items asking residents to remove anything that shouldn’t be there.

Bins with the wrong items will not be emptied and residents will need to take their bin back in and remove the non-recyclable items and place them in the correct bin for disposal, the council website states.

Collection crews will then check bins on the next scheduled recycling collection and if all the identified items are removed and there are no new incorrect items, the collection team will empty the bin.

What do I do with other household items?

There are a number of schemes operated by the council to dispose of items that can’t be thrown into your household bins. Find out more about these services by following the links below:

• Household waste recycling centres (tips) are available at Shaw Road and Anchor Lane: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/tips
• Residents can also donate unwanted or unloved items at the centres under the council’s Too Good to Chuck scheme.
• The items will then be restored or re-purposed by a network of skilled partners to give them years more use in a new home. Information: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support/city-homemakers
• A free small electrical and batteries collection service is available: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/small-electricals-recycling