Frequently asked questions
Is this a national scheme or a local decision?
This is a national requirement. All councils in England must introduce weekly food waste collections in 2026.
The aim is to improve recycling, reduce environmental impact and make better use of food waste across the country.
Will this change my bin collection day?
No. Your collection day will stay the same.
Food waste will simply be collected weekly alongside your existing bins.
Visit our recycling calendar to check your bin day.
Is there an extra charge for food waste collections?
No. There is no additional cost for food waste collections. The service is funded as part of the national waste and recycling system.
How much has this cost the council and will it put my council tax up?
The government has provided the funding for the new trucks and the work to prepare for the new service. They have also provided additional funding to help us run the service. Because of this it won’t put a pressure on the council’s budgets.
Isn’t the new service going to cause lots more carbon emissions?
While the new service will see a new fleet of trucks on the roads, the impact of this will be far outweighed by the positive impact of the new service.
Recycling food waste separately means far less waste is sent for incineration, currently around half of household black bin waste would otherwise is burned. The carbon savings from recycling this food waste far outweigh the emissions from the extra collection vehicles.
In addition, recycling food waste creates renewable energy and fertiliser for farming, making it a more sustainable option overall.
Why shouldn’t food waste go in the black bin anymore?
Taking part in food waste recycling is optional, but we really hope you’ll choose to join in.
When food waste is collected separately, it can be recycled in a far more effective way than when it goes into the black bin.
Separate food waste collections allow:
- Energy to be generated more efficiently.
- Valuable nutrients to be recovered and reused on farms.
- A lower environmental impact than general waste treatment.
By recycling food waste separately, you help make better use of a waste we all create and support a more sustainable approach to waste management.
Why can't I put the food waste in my garden bin?
Food waste cannot be placed in the garden waste bin because it is collected and processed differently under Government requirements. Food waste must be collected weekly to prevent odours, pests, and hygiene issues, whereas garden waste is collected fortnightly and is intended only for green materials such as grass cuttings, leaves, and small branches.
Not all households subscribe to the garden waste service, so allowing food waste in garden bins would mean some residents would not receive a weekly food waste collection, which would not meet national waste collection requirements. In addition, mixing food waste with garden waste can contaminate the material, making it unsuitable for composting and increasing processing costs.
For these reasons, food waste must be placed in the designated food waste caddy and not in the garden waste bin.
Didn't the service collect food waste in the past?
Yes, many years ago, food waste was previously accepted in the garden waste bin. However, the service has since entered into a new waste processing contract where garden waste is treated using windrow composting rather than in-vessel composting.
Windrow composting does not consistently reach the high temperatures required to safely process food waste and destroy pathogens. For this reason, food waste can no longer be accepted in garden waste bins and must instead be placed in the food waste caddy for weekly collection.
Are you going to reduce how many times my black bin is emptied or shrink my black bin?
No, there are currently no plans to reduce the frequency of black bin collections or to change the size of residents’ black bins.
We will, however, continue to monitor how the new food waste service is working alongside our other bin collection services. If the service is operating well and recycling levels improve, changes to residual waste collections could be considered in the future.
For new housing developments and replacement bins, black bin sizes are already allocated based on household size. This approach is designed to encourage residents to recycle as much as possible while still providing sufficient capacity for general waste.
What happens if I put the wrong items in my caddy?
If we see the wrong items in your caddy, our crews won’t be able to empty it. Instead, they will leave a tag on your caddy to explain why.
This is because our crews empty over 16,000 bins, bags and caddies every day and they can’t stop to remove wrong items or they would not finish their rounds.
If your outdoor caddy is tagged, please remove the wrong item and put your caddy out again the following week – we are sorry, but we won’t come back again to empty caddies that were contaminated. If we leave a tag on your caddy, please remove the incorrect item(s) and put your caddy out again on your next normal collection day.
Find out what you can put in your caddy.
Will my food waste bin smell or attract pests?
Lots of households across the country already recycle their food waste every week without any problems.
Top tips:
- Tie your liners tightly before placing them in your outdoor caddy.
- Keep your outdoor caddy closed and locked by lifting the handle up.
- Your weekly collections help keep things fresh and odour-free.
What if I forget to put my caddy out?
If you miss a collection, simply put your caddy out again the following week.
What if I need an extra caddy?
If you live in a large household and regularly fill your food waste caddy before your collection day or if you are amazing food waste recyclers, you will be able to order extra or replacement caddies for free when the service starts.
What if my caddy is lost, stolen or damaged?
If either of your caddies gets lost, stolen or damaged, you will be able to order replacement caddies for free when the service starts.
Can I use compostable or biodegradable bags?
Please don’t use compostable bags. These clog up the machinery at the food waste treatment process and aren’t recycled anyway – they are sent to the energy to waste plant.
Please use:
- The liners provided
- Clear plastic bags
What if I run out of liners?
We will provide you with a roll of 52 liners in your caddy pack, one for every week of the year.
When you run out of liners, tie the tag at the end of your roll to the handle of your outside caddy and put it out on your next collection day and our crew will drop off a new roll of liners.
You can buy your own caddy liners if you would prefer, but please make sure they are clear plastic, so we can check that the food waste inside can be recycled.
We are sorry but we can’t take solid colour bags of waste.
Please do not use compostable bags, as they break down too quickly and clog up the machinery at the processing plant. They also aren’t composted and are sent to be incinerated.
Need help with your caddy?
If we already help to get your bins and bags to the kerbside, we’ll also help with your outdoor food waste caddy.
If you struggle to move your bins to the kerbside, and don’t have anyone else (aged 16+) living with you, you can apply for an assisted collection.
If we miss your outdoor caddy – just WhatsApp our customer services team on 01543 308171 or call our team on 01543 308000 (open Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays).
Why should I bother recycling food waste?
Recycling your food waste helps turn leftovers into something useful. Instead of being burned with general waste, food waste is recycled into renewable energy and fertiliser for local farms. This reduces carbon emissions, recovers valuable nutrients, and makes better use of a waste we all create. It’s a simple change that makes a real difference.
What if I don’t want to take part?
Taking part in the food waste recycling service is completely optional, and we understand that it may not be right for everyone.
However, we really hope you’ll choose to join in, as it helps reduce waste and supports a more sustainable way of managing food waste.
If you decide not to take part, we won’t collect food waste from your property. You’re welcome to use the food waste caddies for another purpose, such as storage, but please leave them at the property if you move so the next resident can use them.
I don’t want my caddies, what do I do?
If you decide not to take part, we won’t collect the food waste caddies from you as they belong at your property. You’re welcome to use the food waste caddies for another purpose, such as storage, but please leave them at the property if you move so the next resident can use them.
