Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) introduced the report and discussed:

a)     Plymouth had historically been behind the curve on food waste compared to regional neighbours, but significant progress had been made to prepare for the statutory requirement announced by Government;

b)    Food waste was currently incinerated at the Energy from Waste plant between Devonport and St Budeaux, which was inefficient because food was approximately 70% water and required more energy to burn;

c)     Separating food waste for processing through anaerobic digestion would create beneficial by-products such as renewable energy, biogas, and fertiliser;

d)    Fun facts were shared to illustrate benefits: nine recycled banana peels could generate enough electricity to charge a laptop, and one caddy load of food waste could power a home for almost an hour;

e)     Plymouth’s phased roll-out of food waste collections would begin in March 2026, delivered in five phases, starting with selected areas of Devonport, Plympton, Plymstock, Stoke, Southway, and Whitleigh;

f)      Phase one would cover approximately one-fifth of the city, chosen to represent a diverse mix of property types and communities to maximise learning;

g)     A postcode checker had been developed to help residents confirm whether they were included in phase one;

h)    Plymouth had the simplest household recycling system in the UK, and the new service would only add one small caddy to existing bin days, maintaining the same collection day for convenience;

i)      Residents would receive an outdoor caddy, an optional kitchen caddy, and a starter roll of liners;

j)      A new team of four officers had been appointed to lead recycling engagement with communities, schools, and local groups;

k)     Concerns raised on social media about smell were addressed: food waste would be collected weekly instead of fortnightly, and caddies would have lockable lids to contain odours;

l)      The service would be primarily funded by national Government as a statutory requirement, with three stages of funding:

                i.         Stage 1: Nearly £2 million capital funding for vehicles and containers;

              ii.         Stage 2: Transitional revenue funding of just over £0.5 million for distribution and engagement;

             iii.         Stage 3: New burdens funding for staff, vehicle operating costs, haulage, and disposal, with final confirmation awaited;

m)   Government investment had enabled Plymouth to deliver the service without significant local cost, saving the Council thousands of pounds through early vehicle procurement;

n)    The initiative would increase recycling rates, reduce emissions, and help families save money by reducing food waste.

Rachel Hawaidi (Senior Project Manager) and Andy Sharp (Interim Service Director for Street Services) added:

o)    The project was driven by legislation and mirrored similar initiatives across 170 local authorities in England;

p)    Ten vehicles and containers had already been procured, with containers made from recycled material and recyclable at end-of-life;

q)    Food waste would be processed via anaerobic digestion, producing biogas and electricity, supporting Plymouth’s Net Zero Action Plan;

r)     Recycling rates were expected to rise significantly, citing Cornwall’s increase from 34% to 44% following similar changes;

s)     Processing food waste via anaerobic digestion was approximately one-third cheaper than incineration at the Energy from Waste site;

t)     Funding assumptions included £600,000 for 2026/27 and £800,000 for future years, against a total forecast cost of £4.2 million over four years, with a slight net improvement against base budget;

u)    Phase one areas were confirmed: Devonport, Plympton, Plymstock, Stoke, Southway, and Whitleigh, selected to reflect varied demographics and property types;

v)     Phase one would begin with container distribution in early 2026, followed by collections starting in March, with subsequent phases running through to November;

w)   Engagement plans included school visits, roadshows, supermarket stands, and a proposed display at The Box, using mascots, games, and props to make learning interactive and fun;

x)    Clear leaflets would be provided to explain what could and could not be placed in caddies, including surprising items such as tea bags and coffee grounds.

In response to questions, the Cabinet discussed:

y)     Schools were already engaged and enthusiastic, with pupils showing strong interest in sustainability;

z)     Missed collections would not be recollected due to cost and environmental considerations; residents could hold waste or use brown bins;

aa)  Clear guidance would be issued on acceptable items, including organic material, peelings, bones, and fish scraps, while discouraging oils;

bb)Five phases had been planned internally, but only phase one had been published to allow learning and adjustments before subsequent roll-outs;

cc)  Residents would receive significant notice before their phase, including postcards and targeted social media adverts;

dd)Members praised the imaginative engagement strategy and welcomed the long-overdue introduction of food waste recycling.

The Cabinet agreed:

1. To approve the Revenue Business Case and associated phased roll out of Plymouth City Council’s Household Food Waste Collection service.