Households across the UK are being warned that food waste caddies will not be emptied if they contain the wrong items. The warning comes as new bin collection rules, which came into force in March, are still being understood after delays in some areas.
New rules and caddy confusion
The changes are part of the Government's Simpler Recycling reforms. Under the new laws, weekly food waste collections are required across England, separate collections for business food waste are introduced, and landfill use is set to be reduced.
People are discovering a new caddy for food waste after going out to take their bins in following a collection. But bin collectors are warning that not everything can go into the caddy.
Seven forbidden items
Advice suggests seven items that people may be confused about but are not permitted. These are:
- packaging
- oils
- liquids
- animal waste
- bedding
- flowers
- non-food items
People are told to remove all plastic before disposal.
Collector warnings
The service said: “Incorrect items mean your bin won’t be emptied.”
The service added: “From tea bags to plate scrapings, to meat and fish bones, no matter how small, it can be recycled through the new food waste service. Just remove any packaging, and pop it into the caddy. We can also collect non-compostable items, such as bones and skin, or cooked and uncooked meats! For a list of some of the items that can go into the food waste caddies, see below.”
Government explanation
Explaining the change, the government said: “Separating food waste helps reduce waste and benefits the environment through anaerobic digestion, producing energy and biofertiliser. If you don’t use the service, you’ll still have fortnightly general waste collections, but extra bags won’t be accepted.”
What you can put in your food waste bin
Cooked and uncooked food waste can be recycled using the service, including:
- meat - including bones
- fish and shellfish
- dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt
- cooked and uncooked vegetables and fruit including peelings
- bread, cakes and pastries
- rice, pasta and beans
- plate scrapings
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- eggshells
- solid fats
- pet food
- mouldy and out-of-date food
