Food waste FAQs

Food waste FAQs

Which type of liner can I use?

You can use:

• Compostable liners
• Plastic liners
• Paper liners
• Newspaper

All bags (including compostable bags) are removed before the food waste is processed. You can also line your outdoor caddy with any of the above if you wish.

Please note black and dark grey bags cannot be used

Will you provide the liners?

We are supplying one roll of compostable liners to start with. Once these are used, you will need to provide your own, but they do not need to be compostable.

Do I need to buy bags/liners?

You don’t have to buy bags – you can reuse old bread bags, frozen goods bags, fruit and veg bags, postal delivery bags or single use carrier bags if you wish. Alternatively, you do not need to use a liner but most people find a liner reduces mess and smells in the caddy. 

We have provided you with compostable bags as these have the lowest carbon footprint, but liners can be compostable, plastic or paper. Currently all the bags are removed at the recycling plant and then taken to an energy waste plant where electricity is generated as they are too dirty to be recycled.

The size of the caddy is seven litres, as a reference for finding suitable bags/liners to use.

Which liner is the best to use?

Whilst you can use any plastic bag which is not black or dark grey, the government guidance is that the following liners will have the lowest carbon and wider environmental impacts:

• Bio-based biodegradable plastic 
• Bio-based compostable plastic 
• Bio-based non-compostable plastic 
• Fossil-based non-compostable plastic (for example, polyethylene) 
• Bio- or fossil-based recyclable plastic 
• Paper 
• Repurposed plastic bags (originally intended for purposes other than food waste collection) 
• Reused newspaper 

Which liners are best avoided?

Because of a higher carbon and environmental impact, it is recommended not to use:

• Fossil-based biodegradable plastic 
• Fossil-based compostable plastic

Please do not use:

• Black liners
• Dark grey liners

Question missing?

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

Last updated: 12/02/2026 10:00