Leftover dog and cat food can be placed in your food waste bin, but the packaging must not go in with it, according to Ashley, the viral TikTok creator known as The No1 Binman.
Food waste recycling bins keep leftovers out of landfill. The UK discards more than 10 billion tonnes of food annually that could be recycled or composted.
What the binman said about pet food
Ashley stated that with the leftovers of dog and cat food, "you can put them in the food waste bin". However, only the food itself is permitted in that bin.
If your local authority provides a food waste collection service in your area, you can dispose of pet food in your food bin. The binman explained, "The packaging itself can't be recycled and wouldn't go with it in the food waste bin."
He added that the packaging wouldn't go in the recycling bin either. If it was a pouch, it would go in your general waste bin.
How to dispose of pet food properly
Ashley highlighted that your council may differ, so "check". However, "most councils would let you put your dog food or cat food in the food waste bin".
When throwing away leftover dog and cat food, the binman advised to "make sure to put it in a bag" first, or that will stink otherwise, and "you'll get maggots for days".
He instructed, "Wrap it up, put it in a compostable bag, paper bag or whatever your council allows, put it in the food waste bin and make sure you put it [the bin] out every single week."
All varieties of food can be placed in the bin, however no plastic, packaging or liquids should be added, including liquid fat or oil. Should you not have access to a food waste collection service, pet food will need to go into your general waste bin instead.
Other food waste that can be recycled at home includes raw or cooked meat and fish, including bones; raw or cooked fruit and vegetables; leftovers from your plate; rice, pasta and beans; bread, cakes and pastries; dairy, including eggshells; and teabags and coffee grounds.
