Decision - Food Waste and Recycling

This report recommends the introduction of separate food waste collection phased across the city from September 2025 to promote increased recycling.

1) Cabinet agrees to note the content of the report and agree the phased implementation of food waste collection, with roll out to be completed by March 2026 as set out a paragraph 3.20 of the report. 2) Cabinet agrees to collecting additional dry mixed recycling materials. 3) Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director, City Operations to: - 1) Determine the phasing and implementation of the food waste collection service and additional dry mixed recycling materials collection services across the City in accordance with the above recommendations; and; 2) Following consultation with the Director Governance & Law, to enter into all legal arrangements necessary to bring recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 into effect including the variation of the Council's disposal contract with Veolia and East Sussex County Council to allow for the increased Council collection services for the duration of that contract (end date 2033). 4) Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director, City Operations to procure food waste vehicles and other equipment associated with introducing the new collection services. 5) Cabinet approves additional revenue budget of £0.678m to the £1.2m already in the service budget. This is to be funded in full from new burdens funding provided by DEFRA for one year only.

Cabinet agreed to introduce weekly food waste collections across Brighton & Hove in phases, completing the rollout by March 2026, and to collect additional dry mixed recycling materials. The service will operate under the existing disposal arrangements with Veolia and East Sussex County Council, supported by additional DEFRA funding.