Veolia, in partnership with Watford Borough Council, have implemented food waste collections for over 10,000 communal properties, expanding the amount of households with a food waste service...
Veolia, Watford Borough Council’s recycling and waste collections partner, extended the food waste collection service to include an additional 10,500 communal properties between September and December 2025. The service change was completed in a borough-wide rollout, with all Watford’s 46,000 households now receiving the food waste collection service.
Food waste collected from Watford residents is taken to two different types of specialist facilities on alternating weeks. One week it goes to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is turned into renewable energy to power homes and businesses, as well as fertiliser to help crops grow. The following week it is taken, along with the borough’s garden waste, to an in-vessel composting facility where it is turned into fertiliser. Both processes help transform unavoidable food waste into valuable resources.
The change comes in preparation for upcoming Simpler Recycling legislation requirements to ensure weekly food waste collections are available for all residents by March 2026. Residents were supported throughout the service change with a comprehensive communications campaign, which included letters and service leaflets, bin stickers, posters, and social media outreach. Local landlords were also engaged through emails, letters, and Watford Borough Council’s Landlord Forum. Now that the rollout is complete, the focus will remain on ongoing education and awareness to continually increase resident participation in the service.
Darren Harding, Regional Manager, Veolia Watford said: “Delivering food waste collections to all Watford households is a significant milestone that will help us divert valuable resources from general waste and transform organic waste into renewable energy and fertiliser. This is just one of the essential services that we deliver for Watford alongside recycling and waste collections, street cleansing, and parks maintenance."
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Rolling out food‑waste collections to all flats in Watford is a significant milestone in our journey to become a cleaner, greener town. When residents dispose of food waste properly, it directly benefits our community by cutting carbon emissions and helping us create renewable energy. We’re incredibly grateful to our partners at Veolia for their hard work and dedication in making this final phase of the rollout such a success.”
Cllr Tim Williams, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services said: “Food waste recycling is one of the simplest ways we can all make a meaningful difference, and completing this service for residents living in flats ensures everyone in Watford has the same opportunity to do their bit. This achievement reflects strong partnership working, and I want to extend a huge thank‑you to Veolia for their commitment and collaboration throughout the project.”
