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Environmental Services Newsletter
July 2026 - A very hot summer issue
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"Don't waste electricity, don't waste paper,
don't waste food - live the way you want to,
but just don't waste"
(Sir David Attenborough)
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A BIG Thank you!
To the kind residents who gave crews water and soft drinks during the recent hot spell,
Your kindness is much appreciated!
During very hot weather, collection times may vary. Keep an eye on our social media channels and website to see if you need to put your bins out the night before for early morning collections.
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Shake It Out! Update
We've issued over 35,000 colourful stickers on recycling bins, reminding residents to shake recyclable materials out of plastic bags.
Keeping the materials loose in the recycling bin is important, as it helps the sorting process.
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Food waste consultation
Our second food waste consultation is now live, and we want your views.
The survey closes on 2 August, and can be accessed via the link below.
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Fly tip update
In the last three months we have investigated events and taken enforcement action on over 100 people, including issuing over £25,000 in fixed penalty notices (FPNs).
We also have a further 15 cases submitted to court for prosecution.
Don't be a fly tipper's next customer!
When arranging waste removal from your property or business, please check the company details to make sure that they are a registered waste carrier, get a receipt and a waste transfer note.
You are responsible for your waste.
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This month's data download |
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The purchase, storage and delivery of wheeled bins and food caddies is a challenging area of the waste contract.
We aim for a two-week turnaround from order to delivery. This maybe slightly delayed due to other pressures, such as weather, manufacturing delays or a big increase in local demand.
Nationally, the whole industry has been affected by the increased demand for food caddies, as many other councils across the country have recently started separate food waste collections.
Annually, we make over 12,000 deliveries of food caddies or wheeled bins, an average of 230 drop offs per week.
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A visual summary of orders over the last twelve months
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Did you know ?
Maidstone Borough Council started separate food waste collections over 15 years ago!
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This looks like a bathroom cupboard clear out to us!
And some very good news, the sun cream bottle, shower gel bottle, the toothpaste tube and it's cardboard box can all be recycled.
Like all your other recycling, please make sure the tubes or bottles are as empty as possible.
Leave them loose in the recycling bin, no plastic bags at all.
Please note - the toothpaste tube is a relatively new addition to the recyclable list. The box it came in is made from card and has always been recyclable.
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Brain teaser - 'What am I?'
- I am a nocturnal mammal, weighing in at around 1.1Kg, with a Latin name of Erinaceus.
- There are fifteen different species of me, found in Asia, Africa and Europe.
- On land, I have a top speed of about 5 MPH. It doesn't look like it, but I'm also quite a good swimmer.
- In the wild I usually live for about seven years.
- I'm famous for having thousands of prickly thorns covering most of my body and my main method of defence is to roll into a ball.
Answer is at the bottom of this newsletter!
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Garden waste subscriptions
The window to renew your garden waste subscription via the link sent out to last year's subscribers has now closed.
If you want to continue using this service, please use the link in the button below.
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While signing up, you will be asked if you already have a garden waste bin, and if you do, you will be charged the standard annual fee.
Brand new subscribers can also use the same link.
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Permits for residents that have renewed |
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Thank you for re-subscribing
This year's permits are being printed in batches, so if you haven't received yours yet, it will be with you in the next two weeks.
Remember that every garden bin needs a valid permit
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David from ME15
"Today, our bins were emptied as normal, but in this wicked heat it must have been a tough day for the refuse crews. I want to express my gratitude and total admiration to them for getting the bin collections done in such challenging conditions. I hope you can pass on my comments to the relevant staff."
Kevin from ME14
"I am very impressed - the bulky items that I requested online to be collected yesterday were collected very quietly and efficiently this morning with the minimum of any noise or disruption. An excellent service. Please pass on my thanks to all concerned."
Julie from TN12
"I would like to relay a big thank you to the two men that collected our items. They deserve praise for their help and keeping the drive free of debris."
Patricia from TN12
"I would just like to thank you all so much for your efficient service today. It was easy for me to access the website, too. Thank you again."
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Food caddy replacement
Did you know? Maidstone Borough Council will replace your 23-litre black and orange food caddy free of charge if it is lost or damaged.
Please request a replacement using the website.
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And the answer to the 'What am I?' brain teaser |
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 We were describing a Hedgehog!
These lovely creatures are in decline and we want to do everything we can to protect them. For tips and to help provide a safe haven in your garden, please click the Royal Horticultural Society link below.
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If you have any questions, or if you have a recycling or waste subject that you would like us to cover,
please get in touch.
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Thank you for reading our Environmental Services update
If you enjoyed reading this month's newsletter, please forward to friends and family, so they can sign up as well.
Other newsletters from Maidstone Borough Council include:
Climate Change and Biodiversity – everything to do with sustainability
What’s On in Maidstone – for all events
News – to keep up to date
Consultations – share your views
Visit Maidstone – the best places to visit and stay
Business in Maidstone – workshops, events and business support
Planning – updates on recent planning decisions
Maidstone Museum - news, updates and events from Maidstone Museum
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