Rutland County Council is appealing to the government for additional capital funding to support the introduction of the statutory food waste collections that all councils must legally introduce in 2026 as part of the national waste reforms.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Gale Waller, is writing to Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to outline the significant short fall in capital funding and the increased costs Rutland is facing due to the introduction of food waste collections being enforced before the current waste contract ends.
The shortfall in capital to introduce the new service is estimated to be in the region of £190k.
"There is clear disadvantage to Rutland in being mandated to introduce the new service prior to the end of the contract in 2028. It would be a more sensible and affordable approach to wait until the end of the current contract term, March 2028, to introduce the new service as part of a new contract. The introduction mid-contract is likely to be more expensive in the short-term and the new burden funding allocation is still unknown.
We are again appealing for additional capital to support the purchase of essential vehicles and equipment and are asking Defra to reconsider the capital allocation given the specific circumstances and rurality of Rutland."
Cllr Gale Waller - Leader of the Council
As things stand, Rutland County Council is preparing for the introduction of the statutory food waste collections in 2026 whilst awaiting the announcement of the New Burdens Funding from government in April 2025. A report is being taken to cabinet on 12th November which will outline the best option for a kerbside recycling and waste collection, including the new food waste service, dry mixed recycling and in principle recommendations on residual waste collection in Rutland, considering the financial pressures created from the provision of the new food waste service.
"In order to comply with the introduction of statutory food waste collections in 2026 we have to look at changes to the current refuse and recycling collections as well as wider service changes to mitigate the additional costs. These changes are being recommended in principle at the moment as we await the government’s announcement of New Burdens Funding in April 2025, which we hope will cover the cost of the service introduction.
It is clear that difficult decisions are going to have to be made and once we know more about the funding position we will look again at our options and consult with our residents."
Cllr Christine Wise - Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities
All agendas and minutes of meetings can be accessed via our Council meetings page. Please note any information that relates to financial and business affairs that could affect council contracts will be exempt.
Alongside appealing for fair funding, Rutland County Council is also urging residents to join them in helping to 'Waste Less, Recycle More'.
A waste composition analysis of black bins completed earlier this year shows that 43% of Rutland’s household waste is food and 16% is recyclables that could be put in the grey bin for kerbside collection and recycling. To help ease the pressure on the service and reduce what we are sending for disposal, Rutland County Council is asking residents to look at what they are putting in their black bins.
"Now more than ever we really need residents to come together and help reduce what is in our black bins. We are therefore urging residents to get behind our ‘Waste Less, Recycle More’ campaign by planning meals, using leftovers and understanding what can be recycled in our grey bins. Recycling also needs to be clean, dry and loose. Every little bit we all do will make an important impact on Rutland’s overall waste reduction."
Cllr Christine Wise - Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities
For further information please read our news article Rutland aims to Waste Less and Recycle More.
