Council leaders have defended their use of an 'opt-in' system for weekly food waste collections.

All councils in England were required to introduce weekly, separate food waste collections by 31 March this year, under the government's Simpler Recycling initiative.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council requires residents to register for the free service – it is not provided automatically to every household, unlike in neighbouring areas.

Councillor Dan Jellyman, leader of the opposition Reform UK group, has questioned the council's approach to the issue, suggesting that it is 'non-compliant' with government directives.

But in response to Cllr Jellyman's written question, Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement, has said that the council's system is a 'cost-effective' way of minimising wastage while ensuring every household can access weekly collections.

According to the council, thousands of Stoke-on-Trent residents had signed up for the service so far.

He said: "The council considers its approach compliant because a free weekly food waste collection service is available to all households across the city, including flats and communal properties through appropriate collection arrangements. Residents who wish to participate (there is no legal requirement for them to do so) can obtain containers and access the service without charge."

"This approach allowed the council to mobilise a complex new statutory service in a managed and cost-effective manner while ensuring operational resilience and minimising wastage."

When Stoke-on-Trent residents sign up to the weekly food waste service, they will receive a small kitchen caddy, an outdoor food waste bin and a roll of liners.

Anyone who has not registered for the service can continue to put food waste in their grey bin, which is collected fortnightly.

The council's position is that there is no statutory requirement for all residents to automatically receive weekly food waste collections – only that the service is available to all households.

The council has not formally notified the government of its approach, but has engaged with the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee, which it says has been supportive.

Cllr Jellyman has also raised concerns that the council may have to give back some of the government funding allocated for the new service, due to it not being fully spent.

The city council received £1.67 million of capital funding, of which £1.09 million is still unused.

Cllr Wazir said most of this would be spent on six new specialist food waste collection vehicles, due to be delivered in November.

There will still be £186,460 left, but Cllr Wazir says this is due to a 'positive procurement outcome', and that the money will be earmarked for future service improvements.

Cllr Jellyman will have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions at next week's full council meeting.

To register for Stoke-on-Trent City Council's weekly food waste service, visit the website here.