Food waste collections to start in Middlesbrough
They will launch in April 2026
A Middlesbrough Council officer has confirmed that food waste collections will begin in Middlesbrough in April 2026.
Geoff Field, Director of Environment and Community Services at Middlesbrough Council told the Overview and Scrutiny Board on October 23, that all local authorities in the area will use the same equipment when the service begins.
While delivering the final report of the environment scrutiny panel, Labour Councillor David Branson spoke of measures that could be taken going forward. He added “We’re going to be looking at further recycling in the future and are going to be looking at food waste recycling.”
Middlesbrough Independent Councillors Association (MICA) Councillor Mick Saunders asked about food waste collection and Cllr Branson said that “it is something on the horizon”. Mr Field said that April 2026 is the date when food waste collections will begin in Middlesbrough.
He stated “We’ve already started to order the vehicles for that, because that will be special vehicles – containerised and all of that. We are working with other local authorities in purchasing the caddies, so all of the local authorities around here will use the same ‘kit’ in essence. April 2026 is when it is mandated to come in.”
When asked by Cllr Saunders if the food waste collection would be chargeable, Mr Field confirmed that “the government have given us the capital for the equipment and they’ve promised us the revenue for the service.”
On the topic of residents being charged for services, Cllr Saunders sought reassurance that the £40 charge for green waste wouldn’t be increasing. He said “I hope this authority doesn’t use this as a cash cow and increase the cost of the bins”.
Labour chair, Councillor Ian Blades responded saying the mayor had already confirmed that there wouldn’t be an increase “at least for two years”. Mr Field clarified that “there are absolutely no plans to increase the green waste charge”.