Weekly Food Waste Collections to Roll Out Across Mid-Staffordshire from 2026

Households across Mid-Staffordshire will begin receiving weekly food waste collections from 2026, following national changes to how councils collect and recycle waste.

Stafford Borough Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Lichfield District Council and South Staffordshire Council have all confirmed plans to introduce separate kerbside food waste collections, in line with new government requirements aimed at reducing landfill and improving recycling rates.

The new service will mean food waste is collected separately from general rubbish and recycling and processed using anaerobic digestion, where it can be turned into energy and fertiliser.

What containers will households receive?

Most households across Mid-Staffordshire will be provided with:

• a small indoor kitchen caddy, typically around 7 litres, for collecting food waste inside the home

• a larger outdoor kerbside food waste caddy, usually around 23 litres, for weekly collection

Councils have confirmed that compostable liners and guidance on how to use the service will also be provided. Residents will not need to opt in, and the service will be rolled out automatically.

Food waste collected will include items such as leftover food, peelings, and plate scrapings, helping to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfill.

When will collections start?

While exact dates may vary by street, councils have shared the following timelines:

• Stafford Borough Council - Weekly food waste collections are expected to begin from April 2026. Households will receive their kitchen and outdoor caddies in advance of the service starting.

• Cannock Chase District Council - The new food waste collection service is also planned to launch from April 2026, with containers delivered to residents during the spring.

• Lichfield District Council - Lichfield is currently expected to be one of the first areas locally to introduce the service, with collections scheduled to start from March 2026.

• South Staffordshire Council - Weekly food waste collections are expected to begin in summer 2026, following the delivery of caddies and information packs to households.

Councils have confirmed that the new service will be funded through national waste reforms rather than additional local charges.

What happens next?

Over the coming months and into 2026, residents can expect:

• delivery of food waste containers and liners

• clear guidance on what can and cannot be placed in food waste bins

• further updates from their local council confirming exact start dates

Each council will provide more detailed information closer to rollout, including collection days and any changes to existing bin schedules.

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on council communications and websites for updates as the rollout approaches.