Bedford Borough Council’s new food waste recycling service officially launched on Monday 30 April, marking an important step forward in helping residents reduce waste and recycle more.
Between January and April, more than 85,000 kitchen caddies and outdoor food waste bins were delivered to homes across the Borough. The Council’s contractor is now completing deliveries to anyone who reported a missed delivery. Around 1% of deliveries are currently outstanding, and crews are working hard to ensure these reach residents as soon as possible.
Residents who reported a missed delivery in January or February and have still not received their containers are asked to report again online. As this was some time ago and delivery rounds have since changed, reporting again ensures our crews have the most up-to-date information so we can get your bin to you as quickly as possible.
Anyone who reported a missed delivery during March and received a reference number should receive their delivery by the end of this Friday, 3 April.
From now until the final reporting deadline of noon on Wednesday 8 April, residents who report a missed delivery will receive their containers by Wednesday 15 April. Reports can be submitted online at www.bedford.gov.uk/RequestBins
For flats, the Council has worked hard to deliver kitchen caddies wherever access was possible. However, some buildings could not be reached. If you live in a flat and have not received your kitchen caddy, please email environment.helpdesk@bedford.gov.uk with contact details for someone who can give crews access to deliver during working hours.
Councillor Nicola Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said; “We’re delighted to see the new food waste recycling service up and running. This is a big change for Bedford Borough, and naturally, introducing new vehicles, crews and routes comes with some early challenges.
“Our teams have been working incredibly hard to resolve any teething issues quickly - with any incomplete routes in the first few days completed the following morning. We’d like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation as we bed in the new service.”
By collecting food waste separately, Bedford Borough Council is helping residents recycle more and turn waste into renewable energy, and fertiliser for local farms, through anaerobic digestion. This also ensures the Council meets the new national Simpler Recycling requirements now being introduced across the UK, supporting our commitment to a cleaner, greener Borough.
Residents can find more information about the new service, including how to use their food waste caddies, at www.bedford.gov.uk/foodwaste