Ten new food waste trucks in Lichfield District and Tamworth now feature The Scraps Gang, five child‑named monster characters designed to make recycling fun and boost participation in the new weekly food waste service. Local children helped name the characters, and the winning designs are displayed
Ten colourful new food waste collection trucks are set to hit the streets of Lichfield District and Tamworth, each proudly featuring one of The Scraps Gang – a team of five fun food waste monsters named by local children.
The vibrant vehicle designs form part of Lichfield District and Tamworth Borough councils’ new food waste recycling campaign, helping to encourage residents of all ages to recycle their food waste and reminding people that leftovers, peelings, tea bags and plate scrapings can all be turned into renewable energy and fertiliser instead of being thrown away.
Earlier this year, local children were invited to help name the five friendly monsters, with dozens of imaginative entries submitted, which helped to inspire the monster designs. The winning names – Chompy, Albert, Lennie, Ruby and Greg – helped bring each character to life and give The Scraps Gang its own personality.
The five winning names were submitted by Harvey, aged eight, Pippa, aged seven, Darcy, aged five, Penny, aged eight, and Izzy, aged eight.
Pippa’s mum, Beth said:
"Pippa couldn't believe it when she found out she'd won. It's been so exciting for both of us to see her monster on one of the trucks, and Pippa is going to be on the lookout for it every week now!
"It's been a lovely experience and has felt like a great way for children to be involved in something the whole community will see."
As a thank you, the winners received commemorative mugs featuring their monster, along with a selection of prizes, before seeing their creations proudly displayed on the collection vehicles that will travel thousands of miles across both districts every week.
Councillor Phil Whitehouse, Lichfield District Council's Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks and Waste, said:
"One of the best ways to inspire positive habits is to make recycling fun and engaging, especially for younger residents and families.
"The Scraps Gang does exactly that. These colourful characters will be seen across our district every week, helping to remind people that food waste doesn't belong in the black bin. It's fantastic that local children have played such an important part in bringing them to life, and I hope they feel incredibly proud every time they spot one of the trucks."
Councillor David Foster, Tamworth Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability, added:
"The creativity shown by all of the children who entered was brilliant. Their ideas have helped create a campaign that is fun, memorable and encourages conversations about food waste at home.
"Every food waste truck on the road will now carry one of The Scraps Gang, helping spread an important environmental message wherever they go."
The colourful fleet supports the new weekly food waste recycling service, which launches on 20 July across Lichfield District and Tamworth.
Residents can recycle a wide range of everyday food waste, including fruit and vegetable peelings, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, leftovers, meat, fish and bones. The collected food waste is taken to a specialist recycling facility where it is transformed into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser, helping reduce waste sent for disposal while creating something useful.
The new trucks are expected to become a familiar sight on local roads, with The Scraps Gang helping remind thousands of households every week that every scrap counts.
The new weekly food waste recycling service is being introduced as part of the Government's Simpler Recycling reforms, which require councils across England to provide separate weekly food waste collections.