WRAP releases communication guidance on food waste collections

The Environment Act 2021 and new Simpler Recycling reforms will require local authorities in England to provide all households with separate weekly food waste collections by 31 March 2026.

WRAP has said that it is “crucial” that households are communicated with effectively to ensure a smooth service change.

“Household Food Waste Collections Communication Guidance” was created in collaboration with Defra and is a free resource for all local authorities.

It features a step-by-step guide to help local authorities prepare and plan food waste collection campaigns – as well as useful tips and key templates for kerbside collections, flats/communal properties and for authorities moving from an existing mixed food and garden waste collection to separate food waste collection.

WRAP’s top five communication tools

WRAP recommends five communication tools to local authorities:

• Written communications campaign – WRAP has identified 10 steps to plan an effective communications campaign. Downloadable Word and Excel templates are available to take local authorities through each step of the planning process.
• Website updates – Local authorities’ websites need to be updated with information about the upcoming food waste service prior to pre-launch leaflet/ letter being delivered and amended as necessary during the roll out. WRAP recommends liaising with web developers to create a dedicated URL to signpost users. It’s also provided some template website content.
• Frequently Asked Questions – WRAP has prepared FAQs to be shared internally with relevant crews, frontline staff and elected members and on local authorities’ websites to help reduce queries and calls from householders and ensure a consistent approach to responses.
• Press releases – most local authorities have established relationships with local media, so WRAP recommends speaking with communications teams on how and when to contact local journalists. It has provided some example media content.
• Raising awareness online – WRAP has said that social media platforms provide an excellent opportunity to promote the food waste collection service change and can encourage residents to actively engage in recycling. It has some example social media copy, as well as social graphic templates available.

WRAP also has a series of other templates available to local waste authorities to assist with the food waste service change communications. This includes leaflets, caddy stickers, digital assets and more.

All guidance can be downloaded here.