What size are the new food waste bins?

You will be provided with a small 7 litre caddy and a larger 23 litre external food waste bin, free of charge. The small caddy is designed to be kept in your kitchen for collecting food waste. You will then need to transfer the food waste into the external food waste bin for collection.

The approximate dimensions of the food caddy and food waste bin are as follows:

• 7 litre food caddy – 235mm (height) x 250mm (width) x 225mm (depth)
• 23 litre food waste bin – 390mm (height) x 290mm (width) x 340mm (depth)

Why is the Council introducing a separate weekly food collection?

Food waste makes up approximately a third (33%) of householders’ refuse bins. Collecting food waste from households weekly using a separate container is a common collection method used by many local authorities in the UK. This method has been proven to increase the amount of food waste recycled and reduces the waste in refuse bins more than other collection methods.

Food waste recycling stops this material going for incineration. Instead, it is taken to a specialist facility where it is recycled. 

If you are composting at home, please do not stop. If you would like to start composting, visit the compost at home pages on our website.

The new food waste recycling service will make it easy for people to recycle their food waste every week. This will help remove any smelly waste from refuse bins and give you more space for other rubbish. It also helps people realise how much food they waste each week and act as a prompt to reduce avoidable food waste, such as making the most of the leftovers, planning meals and creating shopping lists and storing food correctly.

Find out more at Love Food Hate Waste, This is another great way to reduce environmental and carbon impact.

Why won't food and garden waste be collected together? Surely this would save money?

It is much cheaper to compost garden waste if it is separated from cooked and raw food waste. Food waste has to be treated at much higher temperatures to kill any pathogens that could spread infections on farms.

Will the food in my caddy smell?

You will be provided with a small kitchen caddy and larger external food waste bin.

You can empty the kitchen caddy into the external food bin as regularly as you wish to prevent smells in your kitchen. The external food bin is designed to be stored outside and has a lockable lid to contain any smells and prevent vermin getting in. Your food waste will be collected every week, which will also help to prevent smells.

What can I use to line the caddy?

You can line the caddy with newspaper, compostable caddy liners or any type of plastic bag (including old bread wrappers, cereal packets, used sandwich bags etc). All liners and bags are removed before processing and are sent to energy from waste. You can also place the food in loose.

How can I reduce my food waste now?

UK households waste 6.5 million tonnes of food every year, 4.5 million of which is edible. The average family of four can save just over £60 per month by reducing their food waste. For hint on tips on how to make the most of the leftovers, plan your shopping and meals and make your food last longer visit Love Food Hate Waste.

What can go in the food caddies?

• Fish, meat and bones
• Leftovers and plate scrapings
• Bread, rice and pasta
• Fruit and vegetables (including peelings)
• Teabags and coffee grounds

The following items should not be put into your food caddies:

• Packaging of any kind
• Liquids such as milk or oil
• Garden waste
• Pet waste