Updates to food waste collections in the district

Most councils in England must introduce weekly food waste collections. In Wakefield, this change will not apply until the end of our current waste contract. The contract is expected to run for several more years.

In the meantime, you do not need to do anything different. Food waste is already recovered and processed at our waste treatment facility. Food waste from your green bin is then turned into renewable heat and green electricity. 

It must go into your household waste bin and NOT your brown garden waste bin. Garden waste becomes soil improver. This is through a different process which is not suitable for food.

This isn't the case for businesses. Workplaces must separate their waste before it is collected. This includes a separate food waste collection. 

Workplace recycling rules changed on 31 March 2025 for businesses with 10 or more full time employees

Rules will change from 31 March 2027 for smaller workplaces. 

Businesses who use the councils commercial waste collection service have been contacted. Any enquiries should be forwarded to commercialwaste@wakefield.gov.uk.

To read more about the rules for businesses, visit the government webpage.