Food recycling FAQs
Will my food bin attract files and maggots in the summer?
It takes at least 10 days in warm conditions for the eggs to hatch into maggots, so as we collect food waste every week, it shouldn’t be a problem. Locking the food waste bin will keep flies and pests out and odours in! The food bin can be locked by moving the handle to the forward or upright position.
Other tips: rinse your caddy and food waste bin with hot water and try to keep it in the shade where possible. Left over pet food can go into the food bin, however, if wet pet food is left out prior to disposal it can become a breeding ground for flies and therefore could cause maggots
Do I have to line the kitchen caddy with a compostable liner?
No, you can put the food in loose, or use newspaper to wrap it. If you wish to use compostable liners, they are available in most supermarkets and online – they need to be 100% compostable -look out for the seedling logo.
What can I do about leaks in the caddy?
The caddy doesn’t leak!
The compostable bag splits when I lift it out of the kitchen caddy, what can I do?
As compostable food bags are made out of vegetable starch, they are intended to break down in the composting process, so leave tea bags, coffee grinds and anything else hot to cool down before putting them in the food waste caddy. To avoid spillages when transferring the bag to your external food bin, place a sheet of paper kitchen roll or piece of newspaper in the bottom as an extra line of defence in soaking up any spills or leaks.
What food can I recycle?
Take a look at what waste goes in each bin. If you live with others, make sure they know what can go in the food waste bin and what can't, that way you won't be digging non-food out of the caddy!
I don’t have space for a black/orange food bin
The exterior food bin only takes up as much space as an average pair of adult wellington boots - so give it a go and you will be taking an important ‘step’ in helping the environment!
Do I have to use a food bin, can I recycle my food waste in another way?
If you have a garden, however small, home composting is a great way to use up some of your leftovers. However, we can collect the food waste that you are unlikely to compost at home, such as meat, fish, bones, dairy and pastries.
Why should I bother separating my food waste when it all gets thrown in the refuse truck?
We now have separate food waste collection crews and vehicles on all rounds, so please be assured that all food waste collected is recycled.
How can I reduce my food waste?
Write a weekly menu plan, and make a shopping list, so you only buy what you need. Try out new recipes to stop food going to waste. Love food, hate waste has some great tips on reducing food waste and some delicious recipe ideas.
I can’t have wheeled bins at my address and I have a black sack collection – can I have a food waste bin?
It is likely that you can have a food waste bin, however please contact our waste team direct and we will advise, email: waste.services@tmbc.gov.uk
I live in flat – can I have a food bin?
If you have your own set of bins, then it is likely that you can have a food waste bin. However, please contact our waste team direct and we will advise, email: waste.services@tmbc.gov.uk
We will be piloting food waste collections to flats and properties with shared bins, early next year. Following this, we will be looking at rolling out the service to flats across the borough where it is practical to do so.
View Recycling in flats to find out more