Food recycling collections for communal flats

Why are we rolling out a new weekly food recycling collection service?

By March 2026 all Councils must collect food waste separately from residential properties. It is also part of the Council’s Mission to become a net zero borough. Approximately 26% of the waste in the average household bin is food waste, which generates harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Your food waste will be sent to a plant, which will create biogas (a renewable energy source) and fertiliser to be used on farmland to grow more food. 

A recent analysis of resident’s waste showed us that there is 33% organic material in resident’s refuse bins which could be separated out to be recycled. If all residents recycled their food waste, this would make a big contribution to tackling the climate emergency.

I'd like more information on weekly food recycling collections

Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) has put together a report on household food waste collections that have been carried out across the UK. The report states the majority of households produce large quantities of waste food which predominantly ends up in the refuse bin. The type of collection (food and garden combined or food only collection) and the frequency of a collection (weekly or fortnightly) have an influence on the amount of food waste collected by a local authority.

Read the Food and Waste Collections Guide on the WRAP website.

What will I receive? 

You will receive a 5 litre indoor kitchen caddy and compostable bags to line it with. Your communal area will also receive a large grey outdoor food waste bin, where you can put your food recycling into. 

How do I recycle my food waste? 

You can store your kitchen caddy inside, and we would recommend placing it in the kitchen. Line the caddy with the compostable bag and you can start putting your food waste inside. 

When you are ready, take the kitchen caddy to the communal outdoor food waste bin and empty the contents of the kitchen into the bin, including your compostable bag. You can then use another compostable bag to start recycling your food waste again. 

What liners shall I use for my kitchen caddy? 

Please use the caddy liners provided in your caddy pack. More liners will be available, we will update where you can collect these from soon. 

Do the Council have a statutory duty to collect food waste?

Yes, by March 2026 all Councils must collect food waste separately from residential properties.

Will you be providing compostable caddy liners to put in the food waste bin free of charge?

Yes, you will be provided with a roll of liners with your caddy pack and these will then be delivered to you.

I produce lots of food waste. Can I order a second kitchen caddy?

Not at the moment, Ideally, we need every household to try and reduce the amount of food waste they have, so please do try and use whatever food you can before putting it in your kitchen caddy. 

Can I put bones in the kitchen caddy/outdoor food waste bin? 

Yes, raw or cooked bones can go in the food waste caddy.

Can I put tissues or kitchen towels in the kitchen caddy/outdoor food waste bin?

 No, caddies should be lined with compostable food waste liners.

Why should I recycle my food waste?

A recent analysis of resident’s waste showed us that there is 33% organic material in resident’s refuse bins which could be separated out to be recycled. If all residents recycled their food waste, this would make a big contribution to tackling the climate emergency.

What happens to the food waste that is collected? 

Food waste goes to an anaerobic digestion facility. Anaerobic digestion produces biogas which is a clean and renewable energy source. This is a preferred option as it is a net-energy producing process. 

Will we have more traffic on our roads as a result of this weekly collection?

The vehicles collecting the food waste are a third the size of the usual dustcarts and therefore are able to navigate their way around collections without causing any additional disruption.

How do I know if my communal block is receiving food recycling collections? 

We have now rolled out to 31% of communal flat properties. If your block is receiving collections, you will have received your kitchen caddies and a outdoor food waste bin will be located outside: 

What should I do if my communal block has an outdoor food recycling collection bin, but I haven’t received my kitchen caddy? 

If you haven’t received your caddy, please look in any communal areas as they may have been placed there when they were delivered. If you still don’t have a caddy, please email recyclingteam@walthamforest.gov.uk