Food Waste Collections Service 2026

What goes in the food waste bin?

• Any uneaten food and plate scrapings
• Out of date or mouldy food
• Bread and pastries (including crusts)
• Fruit and vegetables (including peelings)
• Meat and fish (including bones)
• Eggs and eggshells
• Tea bags and loose coffee grounds

No liquids or packaging please.

Why should I recycle Food Waste?

Food waste that is sent to landfill doesn’t harmlessly break down. It has a big impact on the environment as it rots and releases methane – a harmful greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. As food waste is 70% water, sending food waste for incineration requires more energy to burn, so recycling is a more efficient method of disposal.

What if I don’t produce any Food Waste?

Remember there is no amount too small. The best thing we can do with our food is enjoy it, but some waste like banana skins, tea bags and bones are unavoidable and can all be recycled.

Will the food in my bin smell?

Not if you empty your kitchen caddy regularly into the outside food waste bin and tie up the liners. Your outside food waste bin has a sealable and lockable lid which will stop smells escaping.

What does anaerobic digestion mean?

This process uses microorganisms to break down food waste in the absence of oxygen, inside a closed system. As it breaks down it gives off methane, which is collected and converted into green energy, an excellent alternative to fossil fuels.

What will happen to all the plastic liners used to collect the food waste? How will they be disposed of?

Wyre Council is switching to compostable caddy liners instead of plastic ones for Food Waste, to help protect the environment. Although these liners can’t be processed through the Anaerobic Digestion system that treats food waste, they are removed at the start of the process using a special de-packaging system that filters out anything that doesn’t belong. The remaining food waste is then treated to reduce moisture and turned into a material called Compost-Like Output (CLO), which can be used to improve soil.

When will my food waste collections start?

Weekly food waste collections are scheduled to commence on Monday 13 April and will take place on your normal scheduled collection day, with all properties receiving their first collection by Friday 17 April. Collections will then continue weekly as follows:

What containers will I get?

You’ll receive a small indoor kitchen caddy (5 L), a larger outdoor caddy (23 L), plus a starter roll of 52 compostable liners, before your first scheduled collection.

I haven’t received my containers yet — what should I do?

Expect delivery of your containers 1–3 weeks after receiving the information pack. If you haven’t received them within this window, contact simpler.recycling@wyre.gov.uk

Some properties are currently being assessed for container suitability, and residents will be advised if a tailored solution is needed. 

What if I run out of liners?

You do not need to replace the liner in the indoor kitchen caddy every day but only when it is becoming full – most households use 2 liners a week and the roll of liners should be sufficient for several months of food waste collection. Additional liners are available on request.

When you are running low on liners, please tie empty liner around the handle of the outdoor food waste caddy. The Veolia crews will spot this as your request for replacement liners and will leave a roll inside your caddy after collection.

What can I put in my kitchen caddy?

• All raw and cooked food waste (meat, fish, bones)
• Processed food and leftover takeaways (not in packaging)
• Dairy, eggshells, bread, cakes
• Fruit & veg (including peelings, pips, stones)
• Tea bags, coffee grounds, pet food.

What must NOT go in the caddy?

Avoid packaging (paper, plastic), liquids (milk, gravy), oils, and any other rubbish/recycling/garden waste that should go in the grey, blue, green or red lidded bin.

Will the food waste bin be collected separately from other bins?

Yes, food waste is collected separately by a different crew and vehicle and possibly at a different time on your scheduled collection day every week.

Can I opt out of the service?

No, Councils are required to offer this service to every domestic property as part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative and containers will be delivered to all households between March and April in preparation for the start of the service.

Will food waste smell or attract pests?

No, not if you empty your kitchen caddy regularly into the outside food waste bin and tie up the liners. Your outside food waste bin has a sealable and lockable lid which will stop smells escaping. Keeping the lid locked between collections will deter pests and the weekly collections will reduce odours.

What if I don’t have space for the containers at home?

The indoor kitchen caddy can be stored in a convenient location under the sink, next to the kitchen bin or on the worktop. Remember you can use your own container if you prefer something more stylish or if this fits better in your kitchen. The outdoor caddy is much smaller than the other wheeled bins and will not take up much space – it can be left outside the door, alongside the other bins or in another convenient location outside.

How is my food waste recycled?

Collected waste is sent to anaerobic digestion facilities which use microorganisms to break down food waste in the absence of oxygen, inside a closed system. As it breaks down it gives off methane, which is collected and converted into green energy; the solid fraction is turned into a compost-like material which can be used to improve soil.

Why should I separate food waste?

• Prevents methane emissions from landfill
• Creates renewable energy & fertiliser
• Lowers general waste volumes
• Helps you see and reduce household food waste.

I already compost at home—should I still participate?

Yes! Home composting is great, but this service handles items like meat, fish bones, and solid dairy that aren’t suitable for home composting.

What if I hardly waste any food?

Even inedible parts like peels, bones or coffee grounds can be recycled. Remember there is no amount too small e.g., two tea bags’ worth can power a smartphone charge. Remember there is no amount too small.

Is food waste collection mandatory?

Yes—for households, weekly food waste collection becomes mandatory under England’s Simpler Recycling reforms.

Is the service funded by the government?

Yes—DEFRA is providing up to £295 million to support councils in rolling out weekly food waste collections.

Still have questions?

Contact simpler.recycling@wyre.gov.uk and we'll be happy to help.