New Bins To Start Next Month

Weekly food waste and recycling collections will start in Darlington next month.

New bins, caddies and liners have been delivered to homes across the borough ahead of the scheme starting on June 2.

An information pack explaining the new service, which includes details of specific recycling collection days, has also been distributed to households.

The scheme had been due to start by March 31 but was delayed after Darlington Borough Council said it had been “let down” by a supplier.

New bin collection

Under the new proposals, every property will receive a small, sealable food waste caddy to be kept in the kitchen, a larger food waste bin for outside and a roll of 52 biodegradable caddy liners.

Residents will be asked to put food waste, such as peelings, leftovers, out-of-date items and tea bags, in the lined caddy and put it in the outside food waste bin.

The food waste bin will be collected once a week along with the general recycling bin and green glass box.

General household waste will still be collected fortnightly.

Anyone who has not received their bin or caddy should visit the council’s website and fill in the form or call 01325 405111.

General recycling has also been simplified. For most residents, this will mean cardboard, paper, tins and plastic are all put together in the existing recycling bin, with cartons and Tetra Paks, which can now also be recycled.

Glass will continue to be put in the green box. This means the cardboard and paper caddy inside the bin is no longer needed and can be kept and used for something else.

If you are on scheme B (you don’t have a recycling bin), you should put cardboard, paper, tins and plastic in your green box with cartons and Tetra Paks.

Glass will continue to be separated and put in the second green box. This means the blue bag for paper and card is no longer needed, but you can use it if your green box is full.

Libby McCollom, cabinet member for local services, said: “I am delighted that we can now start the food waste recycling service. Reducing and recycling food waste is good for the planet and can save you money.

“We are committed to tackling climate change, as detailed in the Council Plan, and by simplifying recycling, increasing the types of material we recycle, and introducing food waste collections, we hope to encourage more people to recycle right more often.”