Written question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 July 2011.

Waste Management: Food

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 28 June (WA 418) concerning the use of food caddies, whether local authorities would need the consent of voters through a local referendum before introducing food caddies in their area.

Answer: Local authorities are legally obliged to collect household waste. There is no legislative obligation for them to seek the consent of their residents through a referendum prior to introducing changes in waste collection services, such as the introduction of a separate food waste collection. Nevertheless, the Government strongly encourage local authorities to engage fully with residents when designing and delivering waste collection services. Councils will soon be able to sign up to a new recycling and waste services commitment to demonstrate how they will take residents' views into account. Similarly, we would encourage local residents to take advantage of the opportunities provided by their councils to get involved and make their views known, and to hold councils to account for the waste collection services they provide.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 10849; 729 c218WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Waste Management: Food
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Food Domestic waste Waste disposal
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk