Food Waste
Food Waste FAQs
Q. What do I do if I haven’t received my caddies?
A. You can request them here
Q. How do I recycle my food waste?
A. Put a liner in your kitchen caddy then put your food waste in it. When it is full, remove the liner, tie the top and put it in your outdoor caddy for collection.
Q. How often is my food waste collected?
A. Your caddy will be emptied every week on the same day as your other waste and recycling collections. You can check your bin collection dates using our online service.
Q. Where do I put my caddy for collection?
A. Please leave your caddy in plain sight at the front of your property by 7.30am on the morning of your collection day. Please leave the handle of your caddy UP in the locked position. For residents in rural areas or with steps or gardens at the front of their property, please leave your caddy as close as possible to the boundary of your property and not at the front door.
Q. What do I do if I don’t have a front area to my property? Where do I leave my caddy?
A. We will collect it from where you put your other recycle collection bins.
Q. Where do I put my caddy if I live in a flat or communal housing?
A. There is a shared wheeled bin in the communal bin store. Please empty your caddy into that.
Q. How many caddy liners will I be given?
A. You will receive enough to last the first year.
Q. Do I have to use the liners provided, or can I use carrier bags?
A. You will be supplied with biodegradable liners, but you can also use standard plastic bags (like supermarket carrier bags, bread bags or pedal bin liners).
Q. Will I be given more liners in the future?
A. Yes. Before you run out, tie a liner onto the caddy handle to let the collection team know you need another roll.
Q. Do you offer assisted collections?
A. Yes. An assisted collection service is available for those who meet the criteria (e.g. no one else in the house is physically able to move the caddy). We will collect your caddy from the front door of your property.
Q. What if I don’t produce any food waste?
A. There is no amount too small. Banana skins, tea bags and bones can all be recycled.
Q. I don’t have time to do this – why should I?
A. It’s easy, all you need to do is follow the instructions above. It’s also important to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill or other disposal sites.
Q. I don’t have space for the caddy, what should I do?
A. Try putting it under the sink, next to the kitchen bin or on the worktop. You can use your own container if you prefer and it fits better in your kitchen.
Q. What can I recycle in the caddy?
A. You can include all food waste from your home, including leftovers from meals, food that has gone past its use by date, and any other food waste from your kitchen, including the following:
- fruit and vegetables
- fish
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- bread, cakes and pastries
- rice, pasta and beans
- meat and bones
- dairy products
- tinned and dry pet food
- any meal or take-away leftovers
Q. What can’t I recycle in the caddy?
A. Please do not put any of the following in your food waste bins:
- packaging of any kind
- liquids such as milk
- oil or liquid fat
- any material that is not food waste
Q. I live in a large household; can I have a bigger caddy?
A. Your caddy will be emptied weekly, so there should be sufficient space to last between collections; but if you need help in reducing your food waste, here are some suggestions about how to reduce food waste.
Q. Can I compost my food waste?
A. Compost bins are not suitable for meat, dairy products and some cooked foods, but all of these can be put into your food waste caddy. If you already compost, see your food waste bin as a supplement rather than a replacement to your composting.
Q. Will the food waste in my caddies attract pests?
A. The outdoor caddies are designed with sealable and lockable lids to prevent pests and rodents from accessing the contents. It is important to ensure the lid is properly closed and locked after placing the caddy out for collection or adding food to it.