New food waste recycling trucks hit the streets

The first of a new fleet of food waste recycling trucks are heading out onto the streets of Waltham Forest for collections.

Two new trucks, 'Easy Peasy Lemon McWheely' (banana) and 'Melonator' (watermelon), will start collecting food waste in the current pilot areas of Leyton and Leytonstone, with the whole borough rollout commencing in late September.

Cllr Clyde Loakes MBE, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality at Waltham Forest Council, said, “Keep your eyes peeled as the first of our brand new food waste recycling trucks will be hitting your streets.

“I’ve had the privilege of seeing these fantastic designs in person and I know you’re going to love them, so keep a look out for the two trucks.

“They are here to help deliver our new food waste recycling service, which is easy to do and free to use. By taking the time to recycle even more, together, we are helping to make Waltham Forest a greener place as we aim to become a zero-waste borough. Thank you for your help.”

There will be 13 trucks in total with five different designs: watermelon, banana, fish bones, pizza and carrot. Residents of Waltham Forest were asked to submit their suggested truck names for these new trucks and an amazing 800 suggestions came in.

We’ve picked 13 names, with two (‘The Very Hungry Caddy-Filler’ and ‘So-Fish-Ticated’), going to a public vote with the winner being announced shortly.

The other trucks are in the process of being designed and will be ready in time for the introduction of the new borough-wide separate food waste recycling service.

More information on new weekly food recycling collections...

Residents in the pilot area in some parts of Leyton and Leytonstone have already been doing separate food waste recycling collections, but now the rest of the borough will be able to take part. Many residents within our communal properties are already able to participate too, with all residents being able to by the end of October. 

From the week commencing September 2, caddies will be delivered to kerb-side properties in the south of the borough (E10, E11, E15 and some parts of E17). Collections will then commence from the week of September 23.

For residents in the north of the borough (E4, IG8 and some parts of E17), caddies will be delivered from the week commencing September 23, with collections starting from October 14.

Residents living in kerbside properties will receive indoor and outdoor caddies to recycle their food waste, while residents in communal properties will receive indoor caddies only, as new communal food waste bins are rolled out.