Barking and Dagenham Council is set to introduce new food waste bins for all households across the borough, with weekly separate food waste collections commencing in March 2026.
The decision, made by the Cabinet on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, aligns with the Environment Act 2021. The council plans to begin its new service in October 2026 and will procure eight vehicles to facilitate the collections. Two options for the vehicle specification were considered: eight 7.5-tonne gross vehicle weight vehicles, or six 7.5-tonne gross vehicle weight vehicles and two 12.5-tonne gross vehicle weight vehicles. The latter option would provide additional capacity, potentially allowing for extended service offerings, such as collections for flats above shops.
The procurement of these vehicles is expected to be completed by September 2026, with the contract award anticipated in March 2026. This process will be conducted through a further competition from the TPPL Framework, ensuring value for money and compliance with procurement regulations. The contract will be awarded based on a scoring matrix that considers price, quality, and social value, with a 10% weighting for social value commitments.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, highlighted the importance of this initiative in keeping the borough clean and supporting the council's commitment to safer, cleaner, and greener neighbourhoods. He noted that diverting food waste from general refuse could allow resources to be reallocated to other environmental services.
This initiative is part of a wider DEFRA-funded scheme, with the council having been awarded a total of £1.75 million for capital purchases, including vehicles, food caddies, and street furniture. The procurement of the vehicles is the first phase of this rollout.