Tackling food recycling rates
Why are we doing this?
Food thrown in the general rubbish bin gets sent to landfill where it rots and releases harmful greenhouse gases. But by recycling your food, it gets transformed into energy and fertiliser!
The aim of this project is to reduce the amount of food thrown away in the general rubbish and encourage residents to use their weekly food recycling collection service.
The best thing we can do with our food is enjoy it. If it can’t be eaten and enjoyed, then it should be recycled.
Over the last year, 375,000 households across 9 districts received a free roll of caddy liners along with an information leaflet and bin sticker as part of the Love Essex Food Recycling project. Find out more about the impact this has had.
Caddies and liners
First of all, you will need an indoor and outdoor caddy. Use your free roll of liners in your indoor caddy. Liners aren’t always necessary for your food recycling caddy but some people prefer to use them to keep their bin cleaner.
To order a new or replacement food caddy, please visit your local council's website:
What goes in your food recycling
All foods can be put in your food recycling caddy including:
- meat, fish and shellfish (raw or cooked, including bones)
- teabags and coffee grounds
- fruit, vegetables and their peel (raw or cooked)
- uneaten food from plates or dishes
- eggshells
- mouldy / out of date food
What cannot be put in your food recycling
Anything that isn't food such as:
- packaging of any kind
- liquids such as milk, oils, liquid fats
- pet waste
Top tip
Store your food caddies out of direct sunlight. Remember to keep your outdoor caddy locked shut so you don’t attract any unwanted pests.
How to use your food recycling service
Place a liner in your indoor caddy and put unwanted food inside. Once full, tie the liner and move into your outdoor caddy, ready for your weekly collection.
To find out more information about your food recycling service, please visit your local council’s website. You can learn what can and cannot be put in your caddy, and what time to present your food recycling for collection. You will also be able to order a replacement caddy if yours has been lost or broken.
- Basildon Borough Council
- Braintree District Council
- Brentwood Borough Council
- Castle Point Borough Council
- Chelmsford City Council
- Colchester City Council
- Epping Forest District Council*
- Harlow District Council
- Maldon District Council
- Rochford District Council*
- Tendring District Council
- Uttlesford District Council
*Please note, for residents living in Rochford and Epping Forest, separate food caddies are not provided for residents. Instead, food can be recycled using your mixed garden and food waste bins.
Did you know?
Remember, your food recycling caddy won't smell any worse than if you were to put food in your general rubbish bin, but it's collected more often!