THURROCK Council is starting to roll out its food waste collection service across the whole of the borough - every house should have a food bin by the end of September.

Over the next few weeks more homes across Thurrock will receive food caddies and outdoor food bins as weekly food waste collections will be introduced, following recent pilots schemes.

The service is being introduced because a change in legislation means that from 2026 local authorities have a legal obligation to provide a separate, weekly food waste collection service.

A statement from the council says: "Since 2023, we've provided separate weekly food waste collections for a limited number of households.

"Following the success of this limited 'pilot scheme', we're now providing food recycling bins to all Thurrock houses. There is no charge for this service.

"If you were part of the original pilot scheme, your service will not change.

"Once you receive your food recycling bin, you can put it out for collection the following week.

"We also plan to provide food bins for all flats and sheltered housing in Thurrock. We will publish details of these plans after delivery of food bins to houses has been completed.

"Each household should receive:

• a grey food waste caddy to keep in the kitchen
• a one-off roll of compostable bags to put in the caddy as a liner for food waste
• a small green food recycling bin, into which you can put tied liner bags for us to collect
• a leaflet about food bins, which you can also download at the end of this page

"We can only provide compostable bags while our stocks last – one roll per household.

"Many people keep their caddy on a kitchen worktop or under the sink, or next to the kitchen bin. You can use your own caddy if you prefer one that fits better in your kitchen or is more stylish."

More information can be found via this link.