Derby food waste bins already attracting wildlife

A badger was seen attacking a hedgehog next to a food waste bin on a Derby street. Image by Louise Jones (a screenshot from a video clip).

Concerns have been raised that new food caddies in Derby are attracting wildlife after an aggressive badger was seen next to one.

The badger was seen attacking a hedgehog outside a house in Oakwood.

It has led to concerns that the smell of the bins is tempting wildlife onto the streets – which has prompted Derby City Council to issue advice in response.

The incident, which has been reported to the authority, was highlighted just days after the launch of new weekly food collections in the city.

Major changes to food waste collections have been made across the country in efforts to improve the environment and reduce waste.

Resident Louise Jones was left shocked after seeing both a badger and a hedgehog near her new caddy in the early hours of the morning.

She said it was the first time she had seen a badger in the Oakwood area and fears smells from the bins could trigger wildlife and potentially make some animals vulnerable to danger.

“I put the food bin out for collection for the first time,” Ms Jones said. “Not only did it not get collected but it attracted a hedgehog then a badger. With the latter attacking the hedgehog. 

“I think that the badger could have accessed the bin. The hedgehog couldn’t but was clearly attracted to it.

“I shouted at the badger to try and distract it. It paid absolutely no attention, didn’t even look up.”

Ms Jones added: “I’ve no problem with the principle of what the council is trying to achieve. I just don’t think wildlife was given enough  consideration, considering its size and being ground level.”

Derby City Council leaders state that risks from local wildlife were “among many factors considered” when launching the scheme in the city.

The authority has advised residents to ensure their food caddy is locked and to line their caddies with bags to put waste in.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, cabinet member for Streetpride, said: “Although the legislation is new, a number of local authorities across the UK have been operating a food waste service for many years and we have been able to learn from their experience. 

“When designing what the service would look like in Derby, the risks from local wildlife were among the many factors considered.

“To minimise the risk, lockable kerbside caddies – designed by a trusted supplier with over 20 years’ experience in supporting local authorities with food waste collections – were selected. 

“We have also been encouraging residents to use a bag to line their kitchen caddies. This means that all waste is contained in a bag before going into the kerbside caddy to minimise the smell. 

“Residents are also advised to keep the handle up to ensure that the caddies are locked.”

The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has been approached for comment.