Homes across Sefton will each be given food caddies to boost recycling rates and create more green energy.
Sefton has been awarded £2.6 million in funding from central government to purchase specialist collection vehicles and food waste caddies.
The local authority is eager to work with local families to highlight how food waste typically costs households £1,000 a year, and to help them save money and reduce that waste.
The new rules must be brought in by 31st March 2026, with Sefton working with other councils in the Liverpool City Region to work out fleet acquisition, caddy purchase, communications and marketing.
Following a question from Cllr John Pugh at the full Sefton Council meeting at Southport Town Hall, Sefton Cabinet Member for Cleansing and Street Scene Councillor Peter Harvey replied: “The collection and recycling of food waste in Sefton will help reduce the impact of climate change by producing green energy and compost, as well highlighting how food waste typically costs households £1,000 a year.
“The government has stated that all councils in England will be required to roll out weekly food waste collections by 31st March 2026.
“Work is ongoing within Sefton Council to meet this deadline, and I meet each month with fellow waste portfolio holders from the region, and Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) representatives, to discuss this matter and others.
“Along with our Liverpool Combined Region partners (Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Wirral and Halton) and the MRWA, Sefton is contributing to food waste collection workstreams studying fleet acquisition, caddy purchase, comms, marketing and more.
“This is in line with the LCR Strategic Waste Management Partnership’s terms of reference.
“Whilst a shared approach will be taken where possible to develop a LCR common narrative for messaging and behaviour change, the food waste collections from 2026 will be undertaken by each local authority within their borough.
“In terms of finances, Sefton has been awarded £2.6m in capital monies from central government for the acquisition of specialist collection vehicles and food waste caddies.
“Diverting food waste away from general domestic waste for anaerobic digestion, and the creation of green energy, is also expected to be substantially cheaper than incineration.”
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