Food waste FAQs

Food waste FAQs

Why should I recycle my food waste?

As food waste is 70% water, sending food waste to incineration requires more energy to burn, so recycling is a more efficient method of disposal. Similarly, food waste that is sent to landfill doesn't harmlessly break down. It has a big impact on the environment as it rots and releases methane, one of the most harmful greenhouse gases that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

How much will this cost? Will my council tax go up to pay for this?

This new service is statutory under the Environment Act 2021 and as such will be fully funded by central government. No increase is planned to council tax to pay for this collection. 

How will my food waste be recycled?

Food waste is sent to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is processed to generate biogas which is converted into electricity; and fertiliser is created as a by-product. At the facility, all bags (including compostable bags) are removed before the food waste is processed.

What if I don't produce any food waste?

Remember no amount is too small. The best thing we can do with our food is enjoy it, but some waste like banana skins, tea bags, and bones are unavoidable and can all be recycled. The average black bin is 25% food waste.

I don't have enough space for the caddy, what should I do?

• Kitchen caddy: A lot of people find keeping it under the sink, next to the kitchen bin or on the worktop practical. Remember you can use your own container if you prefer something stylish or it fits better in the kitchen, or just use the bag and then when full drop it directly into the outside bin
• Outside bin: This is much smaller than your black bin (23l and similar in size to a bucket)

What happens to food waste once it's collected?

More than 25% of the waste in the average waste bin is food. When recycled, food waste can be turned into something useful. Your food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it is used to generate natural eco-friendly forms of energy such as biogas, an excellent alternative to fossil fuels and a fertiliser, which can be used in farming. You can find out more in this government video: Food waste recycling - big wins for little bins (youtube.com)

I don't have time to do this – why should I?

It's easy, all you do is follow the instructions which will be supplied with your bin and caddy. You are already dealing with the food waste in your home by putting it in the black bin. This simple change can make a big difference.

It's important to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill and for incineration to reduce carbon emissions, generate green energy and help reduce the impact of climate change.

Will the food in my bin smell?

Not if you empty your kitchen caddy regularly into the outside food waste recycling bin and tie up the liners. Both caddies have a lid, and the outdoor bin has a sealable lockable lid which will stop smells getting out and anything getting in. Remember, we will be collecting your food waste weekly - we currently collect your black bin every two weeks, so this service will remove the food waste twice as often and more quickly meaning smells shouldn't be a problem.

What does anaerobic digestion mean?

This process uses microorganisms to break down food waste in the absence of oxygen inside an enclosed system. As it breaks down, it gives off methane, which is collected and converted into biogas and used to generate electricity, heat, or transport fuels. It also creates nutrient rich digestate that is used as a fertiliser for agriculture and land regeneration. 

I home compost so I don’t have any food waste

It’s great to hear that you are already an enthusiastic composter. We would like to encourage you to also make use of our food waste recycling service, and you can use it for cooked food (for example, bread, plate scrapings), dairy products, bones, for example, which you probably don’t put in your current compost bin as they would attract vermin. No amount of food waste is too small and hopefully it will complement your home composting and enable you to recycle even more.

You trialled food waste collections many years ago. What will be different this time?

The government now requires all councils in England to collect food waste separately (Environment Act 2021, Section 57), meaning every household will have this service soon. During the trial (which was 15 years ago), residents couldn’t use liners for their food waste. Now you can, so this will be much more convenient. Our awareness of the harm carbon emissions cause has also increased, and most residents want this new service. It will also be funded by central government meaning the council can now afford these extra collections. 

Can I use this service for pet food? 

Yes. You can use it for most items people would consider to be food for humans or pets.

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Last updated: 20/01/2026 13:21