Food waste FAQs

Food waste FAQs

When will I get my caddy, and when will my collections start?

We’ll be delivering caddies to every home over a six-week period in February and March 2026 and collections will start one to two weeks after the caddies are delivered. Your start date will depend on where you live, but all collections will start during March 2026. To receive up-to-date food waste information, please sign up for our email updates

I don’t want you to deliver the caddy. I’m not around when you are delivering them

This service is a statutory requirement as part of the government's Environment Act 2021, Section 57, and it is part of a number of reforms known collectively as the Simpler Recycling reform. Legally we need to roll it out to every household, so everyone has the option to participate. Delivering caddies to 53,000 household will be challenging so we are not able to offer a bespoke delivery arrangement. Please ask a neighbour or friend to take the caddies in for you, and we will of course deliver a replacement if your original caddies are lost. 

Will you collect my containers if I don’t want them? 

This is a statutory service that we have to provide. Please try the service as it is easy to use and means your food waste will be collected every week making more space in your black bin. If you don’t want the containers please find an alternative use for them.

My caddy lid doesn’t close properly? The handle is loose

The bins have been stacked and in storage so lids and locking handles may not perfectly align to start with, but if you leave them in the locked position this should resolve itself after a couple of weeks. Place the handle in the open position and then press the lid into place, so the locking parts align then move the handle to the locked position. You may need to hold the lid in place whilst moving the handle.

Sometimes the handle can pop out. It's easy to fix. Just line up the handle and the lug hole and apply pressure until you hear it click. You may find this easier to do with the caddy on its side applying pressure downwards. If the caddy can't be repaired, please contact us and we will provide a replacement.

Can I have more than one food waste caddy?

Letting as little food as possible go to waste would be the best option, but if you are a large household or generate more food waste than the caddy allows for, you will be able to request an additional bin in due time.

I’ve lost my outer container, can I get another? 

Yes, our policy states that we will replace one container per household every five years.  If you believe your container was stolen, please report this to the police and provide the crime number. We strongly recommend you add your house number to your bin.

My container is damaged, will you replace it? 

For general wear and tear, we will replace the container free of charge. Where there has been damage caused by an individual, either accidental or intended, the resident will need to pay a charge toward its replacement. 

What size are the containers?

Caddy (inside):

• Capacity: 7 litres
• Size: 27cm (width) x 23cm (depth) x 24cm (height)

Bin (outside):

• Capacity: 23 litres
• Size: 32cm (width) x 39cm (depth) x 40cm (height)

Communal outside bin (flats and apartments):

• Capacity: 140 litres
• Size: Standard wheeled bin size

Question missing?

If you would like to ask another question which isn't answered here, please contact us: Waste Services contact form

Last updated: 23/01/2026 10:56