Solihull food waste collections start Monday as residents say they still do not have caddies

Solihull's new weekly food waste collection service is due to begin on Monday, October 5, but some residents say they are still waiting for their caddies to arrive.

Solihull Council has been encouraging households to start using their food waste caddies ahead of the change, which will also see black-bin collections move from weekly to fortnightly.

The council says most food waste, including plate scrapings, peelings and tea bags, can go into the new caddies. Residents can line their kitchen caddy with any bag except a black bag, or leave it unlined.

However, a number of residents responding to a local social media post said they had not received their caddies.

One resident simply responded: "Haven't received one."

Another said: "Haven't been issued one, nor do I need one."

Others raised concerns about the practicalities of using the new system, particularly during warmer weather.

One resident said they had already experienced problems with flies around their outside bin, while another raised concerns about rats and foxes getting into the containers.

There were also questions about how the new system will work for households which already compost their food waste.

One resident said they had "never had food waste" and already had two large compost bins, adding that they would continue putting peelings into their compost.

The council says households which have not received a caddy can report this online.

Residents have also been reminded that their outside food waste caddy should be locked in an upright position when it is put out for collection.

The caddy should be placed at the edge of the property by 6am on the normal collection day.

From Monday, black bins will be collected every two weeks rather than every week, as part of the changes to waste and recycling collections across the borough.

The council's advice is that food waste should be separated from general rubbish and placed in the food waste caddy instead.

The changes mean households will need to get used to a different routine for disposing of food waste, with the council urging residents to make use of the new weekly service.

But with the collection service starting on Monday, questions remain among some residents about whether households that have not yet received their caddies will be ready for the change.

Residents who have not received a caddy have been told to report the missing delivery to Solihull Council.