Food Waste Collections

Why are we introducing a new food waste service?

New government legislation, Simpler Recycling, requires all local authorities to provide a weekly collection of food waste to households. Collecting food waste weekly and separately means that food waste can be collected more frequently.

What do the food waste bins look like? Will they be wheeled bins?

Each household has received two food waste caddies:

• One indoor caddy (5 litres)
• One outdoor caddy (23 litres)

These are not wheeled bins. The outdoor caddy is much smaller than a black bin and similar in size to a bucket.

Can I put my house number on the caddy?

Yes, and we recommend doing so.

When will food waste collections start?

Food waste collections started on 6th July 2026. 

How can I prevent maggots in my food waste caddy?

Maggots can sometimes appear in food waste caddies during warmer weather when flies lay eggs on exposed food. While this can happen with any food waste container, there are a few simple steps you can take to help prevent it:

• Tie any food waste bags or liners tightly before placing them into your outdoor food waste caddy.
• Always keep the lid of your outdoor caddy fully closed and locked.
• Transfer your tied bags or loose food waste from your indoor caddy to your outdoor caddy as soon as it starts to get full, instead of leaving it to sit for too long indoors.
• Present your food waste caddy for collection every week, even if it isn't full.
• Give your outdoor caddy a quick rinse after it's been emptied to help keep it clean.

Following these simple steps will help minimise odours, discourage flies from entering the caddy, and reduce the chance of maggots developing.

What should I do if I find maggots in my food waste caddy?

If you find maggots in either your indoor or outdoor food waste caddy, please don’t worry. This can sometimes happen, particularly in warmer weather.

If they are in your indoor kitchen caddy:

• Empty the contents into your outdoor food waste caddy as soon as possible.
• Rinse the indoor caddy with hot water. If you wish, you can also clean it using a mild household cleaner or disinfectant.
• Allow it to dry before adding a new liner or using it again.

If they are in your outdoor food waste caddy:

• Present your caddy for its scheduled weekly collection as normal, it will still be collected.

To help prevent this happening again:

• Always keep lids fully closed and locked. We recommend watching our video on how to securely close and lock your caddy to avoid confusion. If your food waste caddy is defective and the lid doesn’t close fully, leaving a gap, please get in touch with us via our form to arrange a replacement.
• Tie food waste bags or liners securely before placing them into the outdoor caddy.

These simple steps will help keep your caddy clean and reduce the likelihood of flies accessing food waste.

How often will food waste be collected?

Food waste will be collected weekly. You can see your collection dates via our online collection calendar.

What happens to the food waste once collected?

When recycled, food waste can be turned into something useful. Your food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is used to generate natural energy known as biogas, an excellent alternative to fossil fuels, and a fertiliser which can be used in farming.

What about food packaging?

Please remove all packaging before placing food into your liner. Dispose of packaging as you normally would.

What can I use to line my food waste caddy?

You have a range of options for lining your food waste caddy. You can use compostable bags, plastic bags, paper bags, newspaper, or no liner at all. If you choose to use a liner or bag, we recommend tying it securely before placing it into your outdoor food waste caddy. This helps to reduce odours, keep your caddy cleaner, and discourage unwanted pests. The most important thing is that your food waste is placed in the outdoor caddy so it can be collected separately and recycled

I don’t have any food waste; do I need a new bin?

Some people have more food waste than others. However, it is likely that everyone, at some point, will have some food waste. It could be a bit of stale bread, tea bags, banana skins, bones from a roast dinner or even something lurking at the back of the fridge that you had forgotten about. All of these can be recycled in your food caddy.

Will food waste be stored for two weeks before collection?

No. Food waste will be collected every week, not fortnightly.

Will all bins be collected on the same day?

Food waste is collected weekly. You can check your individual collection schedule online to see when your bins are collected. 

Where should I present my food waste caddy for collection?

Please place your caddy alongside your other bins so that we can spot it easily. 

Is food waste collection mandatory? Can residents refuse the bins or choose not to use them?

Food waste collection is mandatory under the Environment Act 2021. Residents cannot opt out, and once the service begins, food waste will no longer be accepted in the green bin.

What is the benefit to me?

Recycling your food waste has many benefits. For example:

• separating your food waste helps you to see how much is being thrown away, giving you the opportunity to cut back and save money on food you don’t end up eating
• because food waste is collected more often than general household waste, your kitchen and bins will stay fresher, with fewer smells and less chance of attracting flies
• recycling food waste is better for the environment as it is transformed into green energy and fertiliser that helps support local farms - turning leftovers into something useful

Will this cost residents anything? Will council tax increase?

No. The service, including bins and specialist vehicles, is fully funded by central government. There are no plans to increase council tax to pay for food waste collections.

Will new collection vehicles be needed, and who pays for them?

Yes, food waste will be collected using new specialist vehicles. These are fully funded by central government, not local taxpayers.

Will food waste be collected in the same vehicle as refuse?

No. Food waste will be collected separately using specialist vehicles.

Will the new bins cause smells, flies, maggots, or attract vermin?

The outdoor food waste caddy has a lockable, sealable lid to prevent smells escaping and pests getting in. Weekly collections, tying liners securely, and keeping the lid locked will help prevent odours and pests, even during hot weather.

How can I reduce my food waste?

Through making sure that food is properly stored, prioritising foods that have a sooner use by date, meal planning for the week ahead, freezing any surplus food leftovers, and should you have any excess food you don’t want, you can donate it to a food bank.

What if I don’t have space or already feel I have too many bins?

Indoor caddy: Many residents keep it under the sink, next to their kitchen bin, or on the worktop. You may also use your own container if preferred or simply use the liner and transfer it directly to the outdoor caddy.

Outdoor caddy: This is much smaller than a black bin (23 litres) and designed to minimise space impact.

Why can food waste no longer go in paid-for garden waste bins?

Food waste collections are a separate statutory service under the Environment Act 2021 and must be collected independently. This service is fully government funded, with no planned increase to council tax. From 6th July 2026, food waste is no longer accepted in your green bin. 

I receive an assisted collection. Will this continue?

Yes. Your kerbside caddy will be collected from your usual assisted collection point.

How will food waste collections work if I live in a flat?

Each flat will recieve an individual 5 litre caddy and a roll of liners. There will also be an outside 240l communal food waste bin provided for each flat to collectively deposit their food waste in. Flats that currently have shared communal bins for refuse and recycling will receive this service later in the year.

Where can I store my indoor caddy?

Your indoor food waste caddy can be stored wherever is most convenient in your kitchen, for example on a worktop, in a cupboard, or on a windowsill. Many residents choose a location that is easy to access when preparing food. The key is simply to keep it somewhere practical for everyday use before transferring the contents into the outdoor caddy for collection.