Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster exempt from new food waste recycling rules until 2040
It comes amid a shakeup of recycling rules across England
Households in Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster will not be given separate food waste recycling bins under national changes to waste collections, after councillors approved plans confirming the borough’s exemption from the scheme.
A report approved by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s cabinet on 21 January confirmed that Barnsley does not need to introduce separate household food waste collections until at least 2040 when the scheme is reviewed.
Under the government’s “Simpler Recycling” reforms, councils across England are being required to collect food waste separately from households, typically through weekly collections using food waste caddies.
However, Barnsley has secured a formal derogation from the requirement because of its long-term waste treatment contract, which is shared with neighbouring authorities and runs until 2040.
Council officers said the exemption relates to the Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham waste partnership, which processes household waste at a treatment facility in Manvers.
Because food waste is already handled within that system, the government has agreed the councils do not need to roll out separate food waste bins during the lifetime of the contract.
The same exemption applies to Rotherham and Doncaster.
Councillor James Higginbottom, BMBC’s cabinet member for highways and environment told the meeting
“WIth the introduction of mandatory food waste recycling, I do want to take the opportunity to set resident’s minds at ease around that. In Barnsley we are not bringing forwards seperate food waste kerbside recycling, given the exemption we have through the PFI site at Manvers.”
Although households will not receive additional food waste bins, the cabinet approved the use of £835,000 a year from new packaging Extended Producer Responsibility funding to help the council comply with wider national recycling reforms.
The funding will be used to support recycling services, improve public awareness, and reduce the amount of recyclable material placed in grey bins.
Officers said analysis showed thousands of tonnes of recyclable packaging were currently being disposed of as general waste each year, and that improving recycling rates could help reduce costs and protect future government funding.
The cabinet report warned that councils which fail to meet national recycling standards could see future funding reduced from 2028.
While Barnsley’s exemption means separate household food waste collections are not required, the council said it still had to meet new national standards by expanding recycling and encouraging residents to separate waste more effectively.
The decision was approved at the cabinet meeting on 21 January.