East Lindsey and Boston councils approve purchase of new food caddy collection vehicles with no decision due in South Holland until June

Councillors are giving the green light to purchase nearly 40 new refuse vehicles - but a decision will not be made in South Holland until later this year.

East Lindsey and Boston Borough Councils have approved the purchase of the vehicles ahead of the mandatory introduction of weekly food waste collections by April 2026.

South Holland District Council, which is the third member of the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, is not due to make a decision on whether to purchase the vehicles until June.

East Lindsey has agreed to purchase a total of 27 new food waste collection vehicles, which feature an integrated pod to collect food waste at the same time as general waste and recycling.

While Boston is buying 14 vehicles which it says will help to maximise value for money. By having one vehicle to collect different types of waste will reduce the numbers needed in its fleet along with supporting driver recruitment and retention.

Both councils will also be appointing a Food Waste Engagement Officer - it is not clear if this will be a shared post - to help residents with the introduction of the caddies.

South Holland conducted a survey in the autumn on whether to ditch its weekly green and black bin bags in favour of wheelie bins ahead of the introduction of food caddies in 2026.

The survey received a total of 8,576 responses with 49% in favour of wheelie bins while 51% wanted to retain the bags.

Earlier this year the council confirmed that it had temporarily postponed the debate and decisions surrounding waste services to fully understand the impact of Local Government Reforms, which will see district and county authorities being replaced by unitary councils.