Havering Council is asking residents for their views in a survey as it prepares to introduce a separate food waste collection service from next year.
The Government has made separate food waste collections a requirement by law for all Councils to have them in place by March 2026.
It is giving funding to Councils to help them introduce or develop the service.
Havering Council is challenging the Government to ensure full costs are met, to enable it to do this.
Havering is planning to roll out this service from October 2025.
In order to get an understanding of how best the Council can provide this service for residents, a survey has been launched to get their views.
Questions include asking residents to let the Council know what food waste they currently put in their black bags.
It also asks what they need in place to support them in separating and storing food waste, cooked and uncooked, for it to be collected.
The online survey is open until 30 November - there will also be print versions of the survey available, which can be picked up from local libraries.
There will be drop-in events where residents can speak to a member of the waste and recycling team.
The average household wastes around £470 per year on throwing food away.
The food waste collected by the Council can be recycled into fertiliser and biogas for generating energy. It is also one way to help reduce our carbon footprint.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: “We are required by law to provide a separate food waste collection service.
“Our aim is to provide that service in a way that works for all our residents.
“We want residents to let us know via the survey, how best we can support their households when this service is introduced.
"Their views will help us to provide the right support for everyone.”
Drop-in events:
- Monday 14 October, 12noon-4pm, Hornchurch Library
- Wednesday 16 October,11am-4pm, Elm Park Library
- Tuesday 22 October, 10am-1pm, Mardyke Community Centre
- Thursday 24 October, 2pm-8pm, South Hornchurch Lbrary
- Tuesday 5 November, 10am-5pm, Harold Hill Lbrary
- Saturday 9 November, 10am-4pm, Upminster Library
- Thursday 14 November, 2pm-8pm, Harold Wood Library
- Wednesday 20 November, 10am-4pm, Collier Row Library