I am providing an update about the implementation of Rutland’s new food waste service, with mobilisation now underway in the form of black bin swaps.

Biffa crews have now started to replace 240l black bins with new 140l bins as they undertake their normal household waste collections. Residents will have their black wheelie bin swapped on one of their normal household waste collection days in March. This first stage is progressing well, with just over 1,500 bin swaps successfully completed on Monday 2 March.

Applications for additional household waste capacity
As part of the introduction of new weekly food waste collections in Rutland, the online application process by which eligible households can apply for additional household waste capacity is now live on Rutland County Council’s website. This extra capacity is available for families of five or more, people with medical needs and those with children aged under two years in nappies. These households should apply for additional household waste capacity via their Rutland County Council My Account: www.rutland.gov.uk/myaccount. Alternatively, they can email: enquiries@rutland.gov.uk or call: 01572 722 577.

Misshaped bin lids
Rutland County Council has received some reports that some new 140l black bins are not closing fully, due to misshaped lids. Because these are brand-new bins that have been in storage for several weeks, lids may be warped due to the way they have been stored and transported. The Council can confirm that this is normal and not a cause for concern. The high-density plastic used to make the bins is a thermoplastic known for having a ‘plastic memory’. This means it will return to its original manufactured shape with time and use. Direct sunlight and heat will help with this process.

How to dispose of food waste before Monday 30 March
Rutland County Council is asking that residents continue to use their black wheelie bin as normal until Monday 30 March. Because residents may be left with a smaller black bin for a short period before new food waste collections start, Biffa will be accepting one bag of side waste with 140 litre black bin collections between 2 and 27 March. Any side waste needs to be fully bagged and presented next to smaller black bins, ready for collection. From Monday 30 March we ask that all residents make full use of the new food waste service and stop putting any food waste into their black bins.

We will continue to provide updates on the food waste mobilisation as it progresses, to make sure you are kept informed of any developments and respond to issues that may arise.

If you have any questions or need any assistance to share information about new food waste collections, please contact me via: communications@rutland.gov.uk

Kind regards,
Mat Waik, Communications Service Manager
Rutland County Council, Catmose, Oakham, Rutland. LE15 6HP
e: communications@rutland.gov.uk

www.rutland.gov.uk | www.discover-rutland.co.uk | www.activerutland.org.uk

Here is a useful guide to know what to put into your Food Waste Collection Bin. However, if you are still uncertain we refer you to the Rutland County Council website – http://www.rutland.gov.uk/recycling or there is more information on page 7 of the Toolkit Food waste toolkit – February 2026

 

The Government is requiring all councils to provide separate food waste collections as part of its UK-wide plans for simpler recycling. These must be introduced in 2026. Rutland’s new food waste collection service will begin at the end of March and there is a lot of information to share, to help residents get ready. With this in mind, the attached toolkit has been produced for Parish Councils, so that you have as much detail as possible.

In terms of the new service itself, Rutland County Council will be providing households with two food waste receptacles: a small kitchen caddy for indoor use and a larger outdoor caddy for kerbside collection. Food waste collections will take place every week on normal black and grey bin collection days. As part of this change and to encourage use of the new food waste service, current 240litre black bins will be replaced with smaller 140litre black bins. Grey recycling bins will stay the same size and we are not introducing any new or different containers that would require people to separate their dry mixed recycling.

Rutland County Council will start swapping large black wheelie bins for smaller 140litre bins from Monday 2 March 2026 onwards. New food waste caddies will start to be delivered to households from Monday 9 March 2026 onwards. Separate weekly food waste collections will start from Monday 30 March 2026.

Please read through the toolkit, (by clicking on the below link) which includes a detailed set of FAQs that cover all aspects of the new food waste service. This information can also be found on Rutland County Council’s website at: www.rutland.gov.uk/recycling.

Food waste toolkit – February 2026

If you have any questions, please email me.

Kind regards,
Mat Waik, Communications Service Manager
Rutland County Council, Catmose, Oakham, Rutland. LE15 6HP
e: communications@rutland.gov.uk

www.rutland.gov.uk | www.discover-rutland.co.uk | www.activerutland.org.uk

 

Diana has been a resident of Ridlington all her life.  Her father Stan was born in Preston, and her mother, Mary was born in Clay Cross, near Chesterfield.  They made their home in Ridlington over 75 years ago.  She adored Ridlington and loved the wide-open spaces that we walked often with our dogs over the years.

Diana lived life with colour, warmth, and a smile that could light up any room. She loved deeply, laughed easily, and gave generously — always finding joy in making others happy.

She shared nearly 54 years with her beloved husband Martin, including 44 years of marriage, and was a devoted and fiercely protective mother to her son, Daniel, and a loving mother-in-law to Claire. Family was at the heart of everything she did.

Diana had a gift for creating beauty — in her home, her garden, and in the lives of those around her. Our home was her castle: bright, welcoming, and uniquely hers, filled with colour, creativity, and happy memories. She loved nature, windy days, long walks, and sunshine-filled holidays — especially by the ocean in Tenerife and around the Amalfi Coast, in Italy.

She brought friendship wherever she went, through her kindness, her warmth, and her infectious love of life. Above all, Diana reminded us that happiness is something you build — with love, generosity, and a joyful heart.

Sadly missed but never forgotten.

“Diana, my love — I was blessed the day I met you, and I discovered just how special you were by spending a lifetime with you. You are, and always will be, the most important person in my life.”