Lincolnshire food waste collections will be rolled out in stages - but don’t fear the ‘bin police’

Food waste collections will be rolled out in stages across Lincolnshire next year - but don’t expect the ‘bin police’ to come knocking.

Each home will get two new caddies – a five litre container to be stored indoors and a larger 23 litre one outside, which will be picked up once per week.

It’s believed that collections in Lincoln, West Lindsey, North Kesteven and South Kesteven will start in March and April 2026.

Collections across the South and east Lincolnshire Councils Partnership - East Lindsey, Boston Borough and South Holland are expected to follow in the autumn once their vehicles and containers are delivered.

Rather than being burned for energy, the waste collected will be used to produce clean biogas and fertiliser for farmers.

Although councils are required to offer the service, it will be optional for residents - meaning there won’t be any penalties for continuing to put food waste in another bin.

The Lincolnshire Waste Partnership meeting on Tuesday (June 24) heard there were plenty of misconceptions about the scheme.

Coun Rhys Baker (Ind) said: “The biggest feedback I’ve been getting from Facebook is people worried about ‘the return of the bin police’ and getting tagged if they do it wrong.

“I know from painful personal experience we don’t want to do that.”

Chris Yorston, head of waste at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “We have to provide the service but there will be no punitive measures if people don’t use it.

“We obviously would like residents to – we’re hoping to collect 30,000 tonnes (in the first year).”

Coun Stephen Bunney (Lib Dem) said when people saw the containers at the Lincolnshire Show ‘they were surprised it’s not another bin – it’s just a caddy’.

Coun Mark Smith (Con) added: “I’ve been asked several times how much it costs. People don’t realise it’s free.”

Properties which have communal rubbish bins will receive a 140 litre wheelie bin instead, and homes with more than six occupants can apply for extra bins.