This is a new, weekly service which is now available to most households. What if I am still on the old system?

Your green food waste recycling bin has a lockable lid so you can keep it outside if you wish. Simply pull the handle forward to lock the lid securely. We also provide a silver kitchen caddy. This will help you to collect your food waste indoors before you tip it into your green food waste recycling bin.

Leave your recycling out for collection in a clearly visible place at the edge of your property by 6:30am on your normal collection day.

Your food waste bin will not be collected if it contains plastic or tin foil – instead please use biobags (see below), newspaper or paper kitchen roll to wrap your food waste, or simply leave it unwrapped.

What can I recycle?

Food waste

Yes please: • All cooked or uncooked food waste and plate scrapings • Meat, fish and bones • Fruit (including fallen fruit from your garden) and vegetables  • Dairy products such as cheese • Eggs (including shells) • Bread, cakes and pastries • Rice and pasta • Pet food • Tea bags and coffee grounds.

No thank you: • Plastic bags • Tin foil • Cling film • Packaging of any sort • Large amounts of liquids like soup, oil or drinks • Pet waste or bedding.

When do food waste recycling collections happen?

We collect every week, on your normal collection day.

When there is a Bank Holiday on a Monday, collections will be one day late. If your normal collection day is Friday your bin will therefore be picked up on the Saturday.
Please Note: we do work on Good Friday so collections will be as normal on that day.

Should I label my bin?

Yes, please label your food waste recycling bin with your house name or number. We recommend using paint or a permanent marker to withstand the elements.

Labelling your bin will help us to return it to your home after collection.

Should I wrap my food waste before recycling?

You do not have to. You can just put it straight into your food waste recycling bin.

However, if you do choose to wrap your food waste in either your bin or caddy you must not use plastic bags, cling film or tin foil because they do not compost down.
Instead, use either:

• Newspaper or paper kitchen roll
• Corn starch or potato starch biobags. Only use biobags which display one of these labels:

Where can I buy biobags to wrap my food waste?

Helpful hints for using your food waste bin and kitchen caddy

If your bin or caddy becomes dirty simply wash it along with your dishes. You can use bleach but ensure it is dry before use.

If you wrap your food waste with a biobag, tie the top of the bag together when full.

Never put food waste out for collection in just a biobag or your kitchen caddy.
Always put it out in your food waste recycling bin, with the lid locked shut.

Simply pull the handle on your food waste recycling bin forward to lock the lid securely.

What if I already recycle food in my home compost bin?

Composting uncooked vegetable food waste alongside your garden waste is an excellent, sustainable way of recycling a large proportion of your waste. If you already do so, please continue.

You should not compost cooked food, meat or dairy products in your home compost bin. We can recycle them for you.
 
If you do not currently compost at home but would like to get started, we can help. We offer low-price compost bins, accessories and access to great composting advice.

Related pages

• What should I do if my recycling/refuse is not collected?
• What should I do if my container is lost, damaged or stolen?
• Can I have an extra container?
• Is help available for the elderly or disabled?
• What if I do not want the new bins or cannot accomodate them?
• More frequently asked questions about the new recycling services