Food waste recycling
If you’re a resident, we’ll collect your food waste for free and provide everything you need to get started.
Will my home get food waste recycling?
A new law called Simpler Recycling means food waste recycling is coming to all homes.
Here’s what that means for you:
Kerbside homes
You should already have a food waste bin.
Flats
We’re introducing food waste recycling in phases. Your building will get bins and caddies soon.
Why does food waste matter?
When you recycle food waste, it’s collected and taken to a special facility.
There, it goes into an anaerobic digestion tank where it’s turned into two useful things:
- green energy that goes back into the electricity grid
- natural fertiliser for farms in London and beyond
This process cuts carbon emissions and gives something valuable back to the environment.
Find out more about where your waste goes.
What food waste bins will we provide?
- kerbside homes: you will get an indoor caddy and a 23-litre outdoor bin
- flats: You will get an indoor caddy and use a shared outdoor bin, in most cases, the outdoor bin will be with your other communal bins (rubbish and recycling)
- ground-floor maisonettes in a block: you will get an indoor caddy and a 23-litre outdoor bin
Don’t leave your indoor caddy outside for collection - it’s just for using inside your home and emptying into your outdoor bin.
If you’d prefer to buy your own caddy - for example, to match your kitchen style - that’s absolutely fine.
Will you provide bin liners?
We will be sharing one roll of bin liners to help you get started, but these won’t be provided regularly.
Lining your caddy is optional. If you do, use clear bags (like bread bags) or newspaper - no black bags.
Liners can go straight into your outdoor caddy or communal bin.
We recommend emptying your indoor caddy directly into the communal bin. Take care when carrying liners on their own, as they can split.
How will I receive my bins?
We’re working with housing providers across Lewisham, so the process may vary slightly depending on your building.
In most cases, an indoor caddy will be left outside your home along with:
- a letter confirming your first collection date
- a flyer with simple instructions on what goes in your caddy
Take your caddy inside as soon as possible. If your neighbours are away, keep theirs safe too.
How often is food waste collected?
We'll collect your food waste weekly.
We'll leave a letter confirming this date in your caddy.
Will these new bins cause smells or attract foxes and other pests?
No, not if they are used properly. Food waste is collected every week, so it does not sit around long enough to cause strong smells.
Communal bins are large and stable, so they are unlikely to be knocked over. If bin lids are kept closed at all times, foxes and other pests are much less likely to be attracted to food waste.
For homes with kerbside collections, outdoor food waste bins have a lockable lid which helps keep animals out.
What goes in your food caddy (and what doesn’t)
Tea, peel and leftover meal. It all goes in your caddy.
What goes in your food caddy?
- raw and cooked food
- fruit and vegetable peels
- meat, fish and bones
- bread, rice, pasta
- dairy products
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- mouldy and out of date food
What doesn’t go in your food caddy?
- dog poo or cat litter - put these in your rubbish bin
- dead rodents or any animal waste - put these in your rubbish bin
- packaging, plastic bags, or wrappers
- garden waste
- nappies or sanitary products
- liquids
Easy tips for sorting and cleaning your caddy
- keep your indoor caddy in a cool spot - under the sink or on the counter out of sunlight
- close the lid after each use
- when putting in hot tea bags, squeeze out excess water first to avoid steam building up inside the caddy
- rinse with hot, soapy water after emptying. No need for expensive cleaners - this works just fine
- a splash of bicarbonate of soda can help prevent smells, but if you rinse weekly, you shouldn’t notice any
Is the food waste collected by the council the same as compost or garden waste?
No, the food waste we collect is not compost. It is sent for anaerobic digestion which turns food waste into energy and nutrient‑rich fertiliser.
Garden waste, on the other hand, is composted outdoors. Garden waste composting sites cannot accept food waste because it can cause contamination, attract pests, and is subject to stricter animal by‑product regulations. Which is why we need to collect them separately.
Think you don’t have enough food waste?
Every household produces food waste - and even recycling small amounts makes a big difference.
Ready to start?
Food waste recycling is new for all of us - we know it might take a little time to get used to, and that’s okay. Bear with us while we get it right together.