We will be rolling out a new weekly food waste collection service in line with government requirements from Spring 2026.
Why is this happening?
Food waste makes up around a third of household rubbish which is currently incinerated.
Did you know the average household throws away around £800 of edible food each year?
The government's simpler recycling initiative requires that all local councils roll out a separate food waste service in early 2026.
By collecting food waste separately, we can:
- Turn food waste into energy & bio-fertiliser via anaerobic digestion.
- Help you to see what food is being wasted in your house.
- Free up more room in your general waste bin if needed.
- Meet new national recycling requirements.
How will it work?
As part of the new kerbside collection service you will receive:
- A small kitchen caddy (7L) to collect food waste indoors.
- A larger kerbside caddy (23L) to present for weekly collection.
- A roll of liners.
- Detailed instructions on how to recycle your food waste.
There is no need to sign up – we’ll deliver everything to you before the service starts.
What do you need to do?
We’ll be in touch before the service launches. In the meantime:
- Look out for your caddies and liners in early 2026.
- Watch our video guides closer to launch.
- Recycle and reuse as much of your waste as you can.
- What can go in my food caddy?
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We’ll send you a full list of what you can and can't put in your new caddy, for example:
Yes please
- Fruit and vegetables - including peelings.
- Fish, meat and bones.
- Tea bags and coffee grounds.
- Eggs and dairy products.
- Bread products.
- Leftovers and out-of-date food (no containers or packaging)
No thanks
- No liquids, oils or fats.
- No garden waste.
- No food packaging.
- No non food waste.
- Frequently asked questions
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Why are we introducing this service?
The Government launched a Simpler Recycling Initiative as part of the Environment Act 2021 advising that all Councils have to introduce a weekly food collection service for residents from April 2026.
How do I use the service?
You will receive a small light grey kitchen caddy (7 litres) and a larger light grey outdoor caddy (23 litres). The caddy lids can be locked using the handles. Liners will be provided for the kitchen caddy. These should be tied and transferred to the kerbside caddy ahead of your weekly collection.
When will I receive my caddies?
Both caddies as well as a roll of liners will be delivered in April 2026
When will the service start?
The service will start week commencing 27 April 2026
When will my collection be?
Your kerbside caddy will be emptied weekly on the same day as your current waste and recycling collections. Please present your caddy for collection alongside or in front of your other bins to ensure they are visible to the collection crew. Food caddies will be emptied by a different vehicle to your normal waste and recycling collections.
What happens when I run out of liners?
Each roll of liners contains a re-order tag towards the end of the roll. Please tie this to your kerbside caddy and our crew will provide a new roll of liners after your collection. The new roll will be left inside your caddy. Alternatively, you can use any other plastic/carrier bag.
Why are you issuing plastic liners and not compostable ones?
Learning from other local councils, compostable bags were reported by residents to split easily and were messy, which discouraged people from recycling their food waste. If compostable liners are used, they will not degrade ahead of the process.
The processing plant removes the plastic liners, so it doesn’t affect our food recycling process, and the liners are then incinerated to produce energy.
If single use plastic is bad for the environment, why are we using plastic liners?
Plastic liners offer a more robust way to utilise the food waste recycling service, as they are stronger (for longer) than compostable liners, so are less likely to break. There is strong evidence to suggest that using liners encourages residents to participate in the service.
I currently receive an assisted collection. How does this affect me?
The crew will collect your kerbside caddy from your usual collection point.
I live in a flat/apartment. Can I use the service?
Yes. All communal properties will receive a kitchen caddy and a roll of liners. Please tie your liners and transfer them to the 140 litre light grey wheeled bin provided in your bin compound.
Is there a charge for this service?
Food waste collections are a statutory service for which there is no charge.
What can I put in my food waste caddy?
All food waste will be taken in your caddy including meat and fish, (raw and cooked including bones), dairy products, such as eggs/egg shells and cheese, raw and cooked vegetables and fruit, bread, cakes, pastries, rice, pasta, beans, tea bags and coffee grounds, out of date food and leftover foods from plates.
What can’t I put in the food waste caddy?
The service accepts biodegradable food waste only.
Your caddy will NOT be collected if it contains animal litter, faeces and/or bedding or any other contamination.
What about food packaging?
Please avoid putting packaging in your caddy. Where possible, please empty all food items from packaging into the liner and dispose of the packaging as you normally would.
What happens to food waste?
Food waste is recycled through a process called Anaerobic Digestion (AD) to create green energy and fertiliser. The food waste is sent to a local AD Plant where it is broken down to produce bio-gas (a renewable source of energy) that is used to generate electricity and heat, which can be exported to the National Grid. Recycling food waste also produces bio-fertiliser (like a strong compost) that is rich in nutrients required for healthy plant growth and fertile soil. This is used on local farms to aid crop production.
Can I still put food waste in my domestic bin?
Yes, you can still put food waste in your domestic bin however, we would encourage residents to use the weekly food waste collection service.
Can I put my house number on the caddy?
Yes, we would encourage you to do this.
My caddy has been missed?
You can report a missed collection here
Please ensure caddies are presented by 7am on your collection day and the lids are fully closed.