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Environmental Services Newsletter
September 2026 Edition
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"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it"
(Robert Swan - OBE)
The first person to walk to both North and South Poles. He is now an advocate for the protection of Antarctica and the use of renewable energy.
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Fly tipper update
In a recent court case, a defendant was found guilty and fined more than £1,000 after illegally dumping waste in the Maidstone countryside.
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Since April, a number of Waste Crime enforcement actions have been taken in the Maidstone Borough Council area.
So far, 84 penalties have been paid, generating more than £22,500. This money is reinvested into the council's fly-tipping budget to help cover the cost of clearing waste from our communities.
- 10 cases remain outstanding and are due to be heard in court. We will provide further updates once legal proceedings have taken place.
- There are more than 30 cases currently under investigation.
We would like to thank residents who report fly-tipping incidents. These reports help us identify offenders and take enforcement action where evidence is available.
Our investigations use a range of methods, including discreet surveillance cameras, drones, police intelligence and SmartWater technology. Where the law allows, vehicles used for fly-tipping may also be confiscated.
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An important reminder:
When disposing of waste, you have a legal duty of care, to ensure that the waste is disposed of properly.
- Check that your chosen waste collector is legal
- Don't pay cash
- Get a receipt and a waste transfer note
If your waste is found illegally fly tipped, you could be prosecuted.
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Black bin reminders
If possible, please put your house number on your black bin. This helps keep track of which bin is yours.
Each property should only have one black bin.
If you have a spare or old black bin, please use the link below and we will arrange to collect it.
Disused black bins are taken apart and the materials are recycled.
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Brain teaser - what am I?
- I was invented more than 200 years ago by a German inventor
- I come in all shapes and sizes, with smaller versions for children and larger ones for adults
- Some of my designs are built for comfort, while others are for speed and racing
- You can buy one for around £50, but a rare version once sold at auction for around £500,000
- In the mid-1860s, I was known as a "bone shaker"
- In the Netherlands, there are more of me than people
Keep reading to find out the answer...
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Would you like to be a foodie volunteer? |
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We are looking for five Maidstone residents to take part in a three month food waste trial.
This will help understanding of the benefits and barriers of using the food waste collection service.
We are intending to test the amount of food waste collected, impacts on home, shopping costs, and waste in black bins.
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The trial starts in October.
We are seeking residents who have access to the food waste collection scheme but do not currently use it.
As part of the trial, you will start collecting your food waste and be asked to record a small amount of information throughout the process.
Places are limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Taking part in the trial:
If you're selected to take part, we'll provide everything you need to get started, including food waste caddies and liners. You'll also have a dedicated contact who can answer any questions and provide support.
To express your interest, please email recycling@maidstone.gov.uk.
If you are selected, we'll contact you before the beginning of October.
Privacy notice:
To take part in the trial, we will need your name, address and contact details.
Information about your use of the food waste collection service will be summarised and shared anonymously. Your name, address and any other personal information will not be published or shared.
We will keep your personal data until the trial ends or until you withdraw your consent (you can do this at any time by contacting your trial contact).
For more information about your rights, please see our Data Protection Policy.
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Black bin checks
We recently analysed some black bin waste at our transfer station.
We found that:
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20% was paper and card that could have been recycled in a recycling bin.
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11% was food waste that could have been placed in a 23-litre food caddy.
Using a food caddy means your food waste is collected every week, helping to reduce smells in your black bin. The food waste is then processed into a liquid fertiliser for use at local farms.
If all the recyclable paper found in black bins was placed in the recycling bin instead, the overall recycling rate would increase by more than 10%.
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Update: garden waste subscriptions
- If you have paid before 31 August, your permit has been posted.
- If you paid before 31 August and you have not received your permit, please contact us on 01622 602600.
- If you have paid on or after 1 September, your permit will be posted within 7 days of your date of payment.
If you would like to subscribe to garden waste collections, sign up online via the link below.
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If you have not paid for renewal, your property will have been removed from the scheme and your garden waste bin will not be serviced.
Please leave your bin outside and ensure it is available for collection, as it remains council property.
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Fridge freezer collections
You may be aware of a national issue affecting the treatment of old fridges. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept bookings for the collection and disposal of fridge freezers at the current time.
We will collect any fridge freezers already booked and will reopen the booking system as soon as we can.
There are other ways that you can dispose of your old fridges:
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- Electrical retailers are legally required to provide a free 'take back' service for old household electrical items, when you buy a new like-for-like replacement. Discuss this when buying the new fridge. It must be arranged in advance and ensure the old fridge / freezer is empty, defrosted and unplugged for collection.
- Retailers may provide a paid for collection for your old appliance
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We are getting ready to issue more thank you rolls of compostable bags, to residents seen using the food waste service.
In the last 18 months we've issued over 7,250. And the amount of food waste collected separately has increased by over 60%
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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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If you enjoyed reading this month's newsletter, please share it with others, so they can sign up too.
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 - Keep up to date
Consultations - Share your views
Visit Maidstone - The best attractions and places to stay
Business in Maidstone - Workshops, events and business support
Planning - Updates on recent planning decisions
Maidstone Museum - News, updates and current events
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