By Ivan Morris Poxton
Copyright grimsbytelegraph
North Lincolnshire Council has confirmed it is set to introduce weekly food waste collections from April 2026. As part of gearing up for the transformation of local recycling services, it is buying nine brand-new refuse vehicles. The local authority will start weekly food waste collections from April. At the same time, it will reduce household bins from five to three , making it easier and more convenient for residents to recycle. A multi-million pound investment is underpinning the planned rollout of the new recycling system. Nine new 26-tonne refuse vehicles will replace older models. Each new vehicle is fitted with Euro VI engines. These produce significantly lower emissions and offer improved fuel efficiency, reducing maintenance and operational costs. Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham (Conservative – Brigg and Wolds Ward) said it represented “significant investment in the future of waste and recycling services in North Lincolnshire”. He continued: “We are delivering better value for taxpayers by upgrading to modern, more reliable vehicles that will reduce running costs and improve service delivery.” The change in household bin arrangements in North Lincolnshire will see one larger wheelie bin given to every household for dry recycling. The council maintains weekly collection services for about 76,500 households and more than 1,200 businesses. “This investment is a big step forward,” said deputy council leader Cllr Neil Poole (Conservative – Messingham). “It’s not just about the environment — it’s about delivering a more efficient, cost-effective set-up that works better for residents and businesses. “Moving from five bins to three is a key part of this transformation, making recycling simpler and more accessible. These new vehicles will help us deliver that change smoothly and reliably.” The council hopes local companies will come forward and bid during the procurement process, helping ensure the investment benefits the wider North Lincolnshire economy. The older vehicles being replaced will be sold, and proceeds reinvested into council services. Did you know you can get all the latest Scunthorpe headlines sent straight to your inbox for free? All you have to do is click this link and we’ll update you on all the latest stories as they happen. Cllr Waltham added the council’s thanks to residents for their support of recycling. “We are once again listening to local residents and want to make sure we are responsive to their commitment to improving the amount of recycling they want to achieve.” Central Government has provided funds in recent years to assist councils with the future requirement to have weekly food waste collections. In 2023/24, North Lincolnshire Council was allocated £1.5m to specifically prepare for this. And for this financial year, the Government has awarded the council £4.6m to help improve its recycling services. The Government has asked councils to bring in weekly food waste collections for households from March 31, 2026. However, a number of councils in England have already said they will miss this deadline. This is allowed, provided they have transition plans to make the switch. Do you feel safe on the roads? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here .
