You can now recycle your food waste (cooked and raw) using our new weekly service. Your bin will be collected on your normal collection day with your other recycling.
All food waste should be put in the lockable bin provided. You can use the smaller bin in your kitchen to store food scraps before emptying them into the outdoor lockable bin.
You can use kitchen towel, newspapers, shredded paper or compostable bags to line your bin to prevent mess. Compostable bags are available to buy from local supermarkets. Some supermarkets are also now stocking compostable paper bin liners which can be used in your bin.
Note: Many plastic bags claim they are compostable or biodegradable, which can cause confusion for both residents and collection crews on which can be used. Biodegradable plastic is not compostable and pollutes the end compost leaving bits of white plastic, which then has to be sent back to landfill.
If you wish to use a liner for you bin your compostable bags must show the seedling logo or the certification number BS EN 13432.
Please do not use any plastic bags in your food waste containers.
Collection of your food waste
Your food waste is collected on a weekly basis on your normal collection day. Please refer to your collection calendar for you specific collection days.
Your closed bin should be placed out before 7am on your collection day, at the front boundary of your property, in a place clearly visible from the road.
Frequently asked questions
Will this attract foxes/rats?
The bin is lockable and cannot be opened when the handle is pulled forward over the bin or in an upright position They are designed to be vermin proof and are used by a number of other councils. There is far less likelihood of vermin being attracted to food waste in this bin than food waste placed out for collection in black sacks. We hope this this will solve problems with vermin ripping open black sacks on collection days and will improve the street scene.
Will it be smelly?
The food waste bin is collected weekly, which is the same frequency as the black sack rubbish collection. It should not cause any more problem with smell than you would have from a week's worth of rubbish.
Will my bin get messy?
As stated in 'Your Guide to Recycling' we recommend you use kitchen towel, newspaper, shredded paper or compostable liners to line bins. This should prevent a problem with mess. We also recommend that the small bin for the kitchen is emptied regularly into the outdoor food waste bin.
Where can I buy compostable liners?
These are available from most supermarkets as well as from more specific shops such as eco and As Nature Intended in Chiswick. Many websites selling green products also stock compostable liners. Some supermarkets also stock compostable paper bin liners.
If you wish to use a non-paper liner for you bin, your compostable bags must show the seedling logo or the certification number BS EN 13432.
You do not have to use liners for your bin if you don't wish to and kitchen towel, shredded paper or newspaper can be used instead.
You must not use plastic bags to line your bins. Bins with these in them will not be emptied.
Will my food waste bin be big enough?
The food waste bin has a capacity of 23 litres, which will hold a large amount of waste food.
We recommend that you look at the food you are throwing away and see whether there is any way you can reduce this. Around a third of all food we buy ends up being thrown away in the bin and most could have been eaten.
Reducing food waste is a major issue and is not just about food going to waste - wasting food costs the average family £420 a year and has serious environmental implications.
For tips on food reduction and how to use leftovers visit the Love Food, Haste Waste website.
What happens to the food waste once it has been collected?
Food waste will be taken to County Mulch, Suffolk for composting. This form of composting uses a fully enclosed system, with no open access to wildlife, which allows the contents to reach very high temperatures to kill of any bacteria or diseases.
