Changes are being proposed to waste collection services in the borough - including making black bin collections fortnightly - in a bid to improve recycling rates.

Dudley Council’s ruling cabinet will be asked to approve the new collection service model – due to start from April 2026 - at a meeting next week.

Central to the new strategy will be the introduction of new weekly food waste collections, which councils have to have in place by 2026 under new government legislation.

Borough householders will get an external 23-litre caddy for food waste, or access to a communal bin, as well as a seven-litre caddy to collect food waste indoors. The new bins and food waste collection vehicles will be funded by a grant from the government.

The food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digestion facility. It will be used to generate natural forms of energy such as biogas, an excellent alternative to fossil fuels, and a fertiliser or soil conditioner which can be used in farming

Recycling collections will continue to be carried out fortnightly, but residents will get a new 240-litre wheeled bin for mixed cans, plastic and glass. Existing blue bags will be retained for paper and card. Garden waste collections will also stay fortnightly and remain a paid for service.

Remaining refuse will also be collected fortnightly, using the existing black bin, bringing the council in line with the overwhelming majority of local authorities across the country.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said: “The changes being proposed are driven by a need to recycle more and to cut costs for the taxpayer.

“We are under obligation to introduce weekly food waste collections by 2026 by government legislation. But notwithstanding that, we want to make it easier for more people to recycle and for food waste to be collected and turned into something useful.

“It will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, making a significant contribution to cutting down our carbon footprint. This will be a huge step towards becoming a carbon net zero council by 2030, and a net zero borough by 2041.”

The proposals will be discussed at the next meeting of Dudley Council’s cabinet. It takes place on Wednesday October 23 at 6pm in Committee Room 2 at Dudley Council House. Members of the public are welcome to attend.