Food waste recycling in the UK means separating your leftover food into a dedicated caddy for kerbside collection, where it is processed into compost or energy — and since 31 March 2026, councils in England have been legally required to offer weekly food waste collections to every household, though many are still rolling this out.
What is a food waste caddy and how does it work?
Most councils that run a food waste collection service issue two containers: a small kitchen caddy that sits on your worktop or under the sink, and a larger outdoor food waste bin or caddy that goes out on collection day. You fill the kitchen caddy as you cook and eat throughout the week, then empty it into the outdoor container ready for the lorry.
The collected food waste is usually treated by one of two methods:
- Anaerobic digestion (AD) — food is broken down by bacteria in sealed tanks to produce biogas (which generates electricity) and digestate (a soil conditioner used on farmland).
- In-vessel composting (IVC) — food is composted in enclosed tunnels at high temperature to produce finished compost.
Either way, diverting food waste from your general rubbish bin cuts the amount of methane released from landfill, making it one of the most climate-positive changes a household can make.
What goes in a food waste bin?
Most councils accept a wide range of food scraps. The following list covers what is typically accepted — but always check your own council's guidance, as rules can vary.
- Cooked and raw meat, poultry and fish (including bones and skin)
- Dairy products: cheese, yoghurt, eggs and eggshells
- Bread, cakes, pastries and other baked goods
- Fruit and vegetables — peelings, cores, seeds and whole items
- Rice, pasta and pulses
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Pet food (wet or dry)
- Out-of-date food (removed from packaging)
Do not put in your food waste caddy:
- Any packaging — plastic trays, cellophane, polystyrene, tins, jars or cardboard
- Liquids such as milk, fats, cooking oils or juices
- Non-food items of any kind
For a broader view of what can and cannot be recycled kerbside, see our guide to what can be recycled in the UK.
Can you use liners in a food waste caddy?
Yes — and most people find liners make emptying the caddy much less unpleasant. Your options are:
- Compostable liner bags — the gold standard. Look for the Seedling logo (EN 13432 certified), which guarantees the bag will break down in an industrial composting or AD process. These are widely available in supermarkets and online.
- Newspaper or paper bags — a free alternative that most councils accept.
- Ordinary plastic bags (carrier bags, bread bags, cereal inner bags) — many councils accept these too, as modern treatment facilities strip out all liner material before processing. Check with your specific council first.
You can also use no liner at all — simply rinse the caddy after each empty. A light spray of bicarbonate of soda helps keep odours down.
The Simpler Recycling rollout: weekly food waste collections in England
England has historically lagged behind Wales and Scotland on food waste collection, with many councils offering no service at all. That is changing under the government's Simpler Recycling policy.
The key deadline was 31 March 2026, by which all local authorities in England were required to offer weekly kerbside food waste collection to every household. However, implementation has been uneven. A BBC investigation found around 79 councils (roughly one in four) were not ready by that date, citing shortages of specialist collection vehicles, budget pressures and long-term waste contracts that complicate switching services.
Some councils have been granted transitional arrangements, meaning their roll-out may not be complete until 2034 or beyond in certain cases. The practical upshot: whether you have a weekly food waste collection right now depends entirely on where you live. Check your council's website directly to find out your current service.
| Nation | Situation as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| England | Weekly collection legally required from 31 March 2026; many councils compliant, ~25% still rolling out |
| Wales | Separate food waste collection well established across most councils for several years |
| Scotland | Coverage varies by council; separate food waste collection operational in a number of areas |
| Northern Ireland | Some councils offer the service; check locally |
For more detail on how often different bins are collected where you live, see our guide to UK bin collection schedules.
Tips for keeping your food waste caddy clean and odour-free
- Empty it regularly — daily or every other day in warm weather. Do not let it sit for a week.
- Use a liner — even a newspaper square makes rinsing faster.
- Store it somewhere cool — inside a cupboard or shaded spot slows bacterial growth.
- Drain excess liquid — soggy food smells more quickly; give wet items a moment over the sink first.
- Rinse weekly — warm water and washing-up liquid, or a mild disinfectant. Avoid bleach, which can damage compostable liners before they reach the lorry.
You can read more about sustainable household waste practices at Recycle Now's food waste guidance.
Never miss a food waste collection day
Even when your council does run a weekly food waste collection, it is easy to forget — especially when bank holidays shift the schedule. BinMate sends you a reminder the evening before and again on the morning of collection day, and automatically adjusts dates around bank holidays so you never put the caddy out a day late (or a day early). Setting up takes under a minute with postcode auto-detect in supported areas, or a quick manual input everywhere else.
Frequently asked questions
Is food waste collection compulsory for English households?
Councils in England are now legally required to offer weekly food waste collection to households under the Simpler Recycling policy (deadline: 31 March 2026). Participation is encouraged but individual households are not fined for not using the service. Check your local council's website to see whether your area has the service yet, as around a quarter of councils were still rolling it out beyond the March 2026 deadline.
Can I put cooked meat and fish in my food waste caddy?
Yes. Unlike home composting (where cooked meat, fish and dairy are generally discouraged), kerbside food waste caddies are designed to accept all food types — including cooked meat, fish, bones, dairy and eggs. These materials are processed at high temperatures in anaerobic digesters or in-vessel composting facilities that neutralise pathogens. Always confirm with your own council, as rules can vary.
What liners can I use in a food waste caddy?
Most councils accept compostable bags (look for the Seedling logo, certified to EN 13432), newspaper or paper bags, and in many cases ordinary plastic bags such as carrier bags or bread bags — all liner material is removed mechanically before processing. Check your council's guidance for specifics, as some only accept compostable or paper liners.
Does every UK council offer food waste collection?
No. In England, weekly food waste collection became a legal requirement from 31 March 2026, but some councils have transitional arrangements pushing full roll-out to 2034 or later. In Wales, the service is well established across most areas. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, coverage varies. Always check your local council's website to confirm what service is available at your address.