Food waste
Food waste is collected every week in the black caddy with the orange lid (outdoor caddy).
When to put your caddy out
- Put your caddy out by 6am on your normal collection day.
- Place it on the boundary of your property.
- Bring it back in as soon as you can after collection to stop any obstruction of the highway.
We do not tolerate any abuse of the collection crews and it will be reported to the Police. If you have a complaint, please contact the council.
Don't have a caddy? We provide outdoor caddies for free including replacements. Order one by filling in our replacement bin request form online.
+ What you can put in your food caddy
| Meat, fish and bones (raw or cooked) | |
| Leftovers from meals | |
| Fruit and veg, including peelings | |
| Dairy products like cheese and yoghurt | |
| Bread, pasta, pulses and rice | |
| Teabags and coffee grounds | |
| Solid fats like butter and lard | |
| Eggshells | |
| Out-of-date food (without packaging) | |
+ What you can't put in your food caddy
| Plastic bags | |
| Liquids or oils | |
| Any kind of packaging | |
| Pet waste or litter | |
| Garden waste like grass or leaves | |
| Any refuse (general rubbish) or recycling | |
How to collect food waste at home
- Most people use a small indoor kitchen caddy or container to collect food scraps indoors. You can buy a kitchen caddy from us or find one in supermarkets and online.
- When full, put the food waste in your outdoor caddy.
If you line your indoor caddy with a bag and put that in your outdoor caddy, then it must be compostable. You can find these near bin bags in most shops.
The outdoor caddy has a lockable lid to keep smells in and pests out. It’s also easy to clean with a quick rinse and wipe.
We only collect food waste in the black and orange outdoor caddy.
Need a reminder?
Download our recycling and food waste [pdf] 551KB. Perfect for your fridge or kitchen noticeboard.
Where does your food waste go?
Your food waste is not sent to landfill. It goes to Blaise Quarry Farm near Maidstone. There, it’s broken down using anaerobic digestion.
This process:
- Makes biogas, a renewable energy source that powers homes and the recycling plant.
- Creates fertiliser used by local farms.
Watch the video below to see how your food waste becomes energy and fertiliser.
Want to waste less and save more?
Recycling food waste is a great - but reducing it is even better. Visit Love Food Hate Waste website for:
- Tips on using up leftovers.
- Easy recipes.
- Smart shopping and storage advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ How do I get a caddy?
You can order your indoor and outdoor food caddies on our website.
We provide the outdoor food caddy (black caddy with the orange lid) for free, including replacements, however the indoor caddy costs £5. You can use other indoor food caddies and you can purchase them in most supermarkets and online.
+ But I don't have any food waste because I compost and/or ensure there is no food wasted?
That’s fantastic – well done. Composting and reducing food waste are great ways to help the environment.
But even if you think you don’t have much food waste, why not try using the food caddy for a week or two? Many people are surprised by how much still ends up in the grey refuse bin – there’s no such thing as not producing enough.
There is plenty of unavoidable food waste that can’t be composted at home like, meat, fish and bones and diary products. These can all go in your food caddy and be recycled properly.
+ How often is food waste collected?
Food waste presented in your food caddy is collected weekly on your normal collection day. Just ensure it is presented by 6am. You can check your collection day on our look up tool.
+ Why should I recycle food waste?
We know it’s best to plan ahead and void wasting food. But when food waste can’t be avoided, recycling it is the next best thing. By using your food waste recycling bin, you help:
It’s quick, easy and makes a big difference. Please use your food waste bin to recycle any scraps you can’t eat or use.
+ Doesn't the food caddy smell and attract pests?
Our black and orange outdoor food caddy has a lockable handle. This helps keep smells inside and keep flies and pests out.
Your food waste is collected every week, so it doesn’t sit around for long. This means less chance of bad smells or unwanted visitors.
The caddy is easy to clean. We recommend giving it a quick rinse or wipe after your collection day.
By using your food caddy, your grey refuse bin stays cleaner too – no food waste sitting in it for two weeks.
