Food waste
Food waste recycling - Mash for Cash (PDF)
Each household should have two containers for food waste:
- A small caddy to keep in your kitchen
- A larger caddy to store outside
If you do not have any of these containers, please request one from us today free of charge.
Line your kitchen caddy with a compostable liner or newspaper. Compostable liners are available to purchase at most household stores and supermarkets throughout the county borough. Once full, this should then be emptied into the larger caddy outside. The larger caddy can also be lined with a compostable liner to help to keep it clean. It is important that you do not use plastic carrier bags in your food caddy, as these are not compostable.
Contaminated food waste
Only compostable food waste should be placed in your food caddy. Visit the what goes in my bins section for details. If your food caddy contains unsuitable waste it will be rejected and a sticker placed on the caddy.You will then need to remove unsuitable food waste and re-presented the following week for collection. If this is not possible, the food waste may be placed in your refuse bin for collection with normal waste.
Compost bins
We no longer offer a subsidised service. Instead, you can purchase compost bins from garden centres, DIY shops and online retailers.
Frequently asked questions
Why are you doing this?
The aim is to encourage more households to recycle their food waste, allow us to become more energy efficient and ultimately help the global campaign to maximise more renewable energy opportunities.
Food waste is a constant source of fuel that we need to maximise, not just to attain recycling targets but to decarbonise and power the nation at a time when renewable energy resources have now become even more precious.
Who will monitor participation?
Officers from the Authority’s recycling team will independently regularly monitor and verify properties where caddies are being put out as part of the weekly kerbside food waste service.
Who is funding the prize scheme?
As with all our incentive schemes, prizes are funded externally by the business sector.
How will a winner be selected?
Randomly selected properties will be monitored to establish whether they are participating in the food waste recycling service. Properties will be selected at random using the Authority‘s waste and recycling collection database of residential properties.
What can I put in the food waste caddy?
Almost all food! Including fruit, vegetables, stale bread, eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, plate scrapings, pet food, dairy products, pasta, cereals and bones.
What can’t go into the food bin?
Liquids, oils, packaging.
Do I need to use a bio bag for the food waste?
No, you can put your food waste in any type of carrier bag as the bags will be sorted at the treatment facility.
What happens to my food waste after it is collected?
All food waste is taken to a treatment facility and goes through a process of Anaerobic Digestion. The methane that is produced during this process is used as a fuel to generate electricity, which in turn is fed into the National Grid.
Food waste as a fuel can contribute significantly to energy generation every week of the year. In addition, there are other valuable by-products of the food waste treatment, these include a fibrous residue which is used a soil and conditioner and growth medium on local horticultural and landscaping schemes.
There is also a liquid by-product which can be used as a bio fertiliser for the agricultural industry.
How do I get a food waste caddy?
Food caddies are free of charge and can be requested using the following link - Request a New Bin. Alternatively, call our contact centre on 01443 866533.