Did you know? What you can put in your waste caddies
From tea bags to plate scrapings, to meat and fish bones, no matter how small, it can be recycled through the new food waste service.
Just remove any packaging, and pop it into the caddy. We can also collect non-compostable items, such as bones and skin, or cooked and uncooked meats! For a list of some of the items that can go into the food waste caddies, see below.
Why this new service is so important
Separating food waste helps reduce waste and benefits the environment through anaerobic digestion, producing energy and biofertiliser. If you don't use the service, you'll still have fortnightly general waste collections, but extra bags won't be accepted.
Most households will receive:
- a 23-litre grey outdoor food waste bin with an orange lid
- communal properties may be provided with shared outdoor food waste bins where appropriate.
All households will receive:
- a 5-litre grey indoor food waste caddy and a starter roll of 26 liners
Even if you compost at home, we encourage all residents to use the new service to help reduce general waste and ease the transition to fortnightly collections. Home composting is not suitable for meat, bones, cooked food, or dairy. Use the food waste bin for these items.
What you can put in my food waste bin
Cooked and uncooked food waste can be recycled using the service, including:
- meat - including bones
- fish and shellfish
- dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt
- cooked and uncooked vegetables and fruit including peelings
- bread, cakes and pastries
- rice, pasta and beans
- plate scrapings
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- eggshells
- solid fats
- pet food
- mouldy and out-of-date food
What not to put in your food waste bin
No packaging, oils, liquids, animal waste, bedding, flowers, or non-food items. Remove all plastic before disposal. Incorrect items mean your bin won't be emptied.
Preventing smells and pests
Weekly food waste collections and lockable bins help prevent vermin and odours.
Tips:
- keep lids closed
- wrap smelly food in newspaper or compostable liners
- rinse recycling before binning
- store bins out of direct sun
- clean bins regularly
How to eliminate odours
Food waste shouldn't smell if transferred from the kitchen caddy to the outside food waste bin, regularly and bins are kept closed. Do not use plastic bags and use newspaper for wrapping. Kitchen caddies and bins are easy to clean. General waste should smell less with food waste removed.