Barnet Council is preparing to roll out mandatory food waste collection for all households by the end of March 2026, in accordance with the Environment Act 2021. The move aims to boost recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to disposal.
The new collection program will accept a wide range of food waste, including all uneaten food and plate scrapings, meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, rice, pasta, beans, and vegetable peelings.
The Barnet Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday, 11 September 2025, to discuss updates to the council's Household Recycling and Waste Policies in preparation for the new service. The updated policy, detailed in the Public Reports Pack, will include details on container provision for the upcoming food waste collection service.
For low rise standard properties, the proposed containers are:
- 1 x 7 litre food waste kitchen caddy for internal use
- 1 x 23 litre kerbside food waste bin for external use
The council conducted a survey of its citizens' panel, and 75% of respondents felt the proposed containers would provide sufficient capacity for their food waste. This survey data was a key factor in the selection of the 7-litre and 23-litre sizes.
The council is also addressing food waste collection in high-rise buildings or properties where individual kerbside bins are not feasible. For flats where there are six or more dwellings, communal food waste bins will be provided based on a minimum of one communal bin no smaller than 200 litres to serve up to 45 flats.
The updated policy will apply to existing housing stock as well as to planning applications for new developments. In addition, the council is now receiving planning applications for shared living
accommodation, and so it is appropriate that the policy includes specific levels of provision for this.