Newham Council is set to roll out weekly food waste collections to all residential households by 2026, in compliance with the Environment Act 2021. The collected food waste will be either recycled or composted.
The introduction of this separate weekly food waste collection service is expected to increase recycling rates and reduce carbon emissions by diverting biodegradable waste from energy-from-waste treatment to recycling via anaerobic digestion. This aligns with national and local commitments to environmental sustainability.
The decision to award contracts for food waste caddies and liners was approved on 6 October 2025, by Sean McDermid, Interim Corporate Director of Environment and Sustainable Transport, in consultation with Councillor John Whitworth, Cabinet Member for Air Quality, Climate Emergency & Environment. The decision is subject to call-in until 13 October 2025, according to the Officer Key Decision minutes.
The contracts have been awarded to:
- IPL Plastics UK Ltd: £158,457.20 for 5-litre internal food waste caddies.
- IPL Plastics UK Ltd: £284,681.10 for 23-litre external food waste caddies.
- Cromwell Polythene Limited: £6,212.75 for caddy liners for the first phase of the food waste service.
The procurement was conducted via the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) Refuse and Recycling Framework- 1185.
Funding for the caddies is being provided by DEFRA, while the Carbon Offset Fund is funding the caddy liners for the initial phase. The council is considering using underspend from the food waste caddies budget to procure caddy liners for all residents. A decision on this is expected in December 2025.
The council aims to align with its environmental and sustainability priorities, contributing to increased recycling rates and reduced carbon emissions. This initiative supports the council's climate emergency declaration, the Just Transition plan, and the Corporate Plan, Building a Fairer Newham, by promoting responsible resource use. It also contributes to the Mayor of London's target of recycling 50% of household waste across London Boroughs by 2030.
The alternative option of not procuring the food waste caddies and liners was rejected because it would be a breach of the Environment Act 2021. The Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) has the power to investigate and take action against public authorities that fail to comply with environmental law. Non-compliance could result in the OEP serving Information Notices and Decision Notices, including steps for remedy, mitigation and/or prevention, and would also cause reputational damage to Newham.