Ensuring good waste collection services for households

Waste collection authorities are legally required to make sure that waste is collected from households in their area. From 31 March 2026, waste collection authorities must provide weekly food waste collections from all households, to allow people to dispose of odorous organic waste frequently. If you have been granted a longer transitional arrangement, you will not need to collect food waste until the agreed date. 

As is currently the case, waste collection authorities should continue to decide collection frequency and methodology for collecting the residual (non-recyclable waste) and dry recyclable waste streams, and do so in a way that meets local needs and provides value for money for the taxpayer.  

When waste collection authorities are planning and delivering waste collection services from households, they should make sure that:  

• all households have reasonable residual and recyclable waste collections 
• they consider providing additional services for specific needs, such as households with medical needs  
• there is no build-up of odorous waste at the kerbside 
• changes to collections do not lead to an increase in fly-tipping of residual waste 

Waste collection authorities should consider at least the following factors when they are determining waste collection frequency and methodology from different property types in their area:

• size of bins or containers provided for waste collections 
• number of occupants 
• type of premises, such as flats or houses 
• storage space inside or outside the premises 
• specific additional needs, for example households with medical needs 

Waste collection authorities should continue to monitor any changes to collection frequencies to make sure there are no unintended consequences.