Food Waste Recycling – the new scheme
Why are food waste collections being introduced?
Food Waste Recycling – the new scheme
All English councils are obliged to introduce weekly food waste recycling collections in 2026. This means food waste will be collected separately in a designated caddy, in addition to existing recycling and rubbish collections. Harborough District Council is to receive over £1 million in funding from DEFRA to support the roll out.
Separating food waste can generate cheap energy, turn waste into fertiliser, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost recycling, and lower disposal costs. This benefits residents, the environment, and future generations. It also serves as a reminder of food waste and potential savings.
The food waste will be sent to an anaerobic digestion plant to generate sustainable energy, reducing landfill waste. The Government suggests this could help cut the 18 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions associated with food waste nationally.
When will HDC start the service?
Food waste collections will start week commencing 2 November 2026. This will be a weekly service and food waste will be collected on the same day as we collect your other waste and recycling, but by a separate vehicle.
What will HDC provide?
A small (7-litre) kitchen caddy for depositing food waste indoors.
A starter roll of bags – an initial supply to keep your kitchen caddy clean.
A larger (23-litre) lockable outside food waste recycling caddy which we will empty every week.
An instruction leaflet with details of what food waste can be recycled to help get you started.
When will I get my caddies?
We will deliver caddy packs to all households in the District during August/September 2026. We anticipate this will take six to eight weeks. Your caddies may not be delivered on your usual collection day; it could be any day of the week (Monday – Friday).
You don’t need to be home to receive your caddies, but if you’re planning to be away from your home for a longer period, you may wish to ask a friend or neighbour to look after your caddies until you return.
What can I put in my food waste caddy?
| Yes please: Meat and fish (raw/cooked/bones) Fruit and vegetables (raw/cooked) Peelings Leftovers (including plate-scrapings) Dairy (cheese/yoghurt, etc.) Eggshells Pasta and rice Bread, cake, pastries and other baked goods Tea bags/leaves and coffee grounds Pet food | No thanks: Food packaging – even compostable packing Black bin bags or liners Plastic (other than the liner bag) Glass Tins, cans and foil Any liquids including oil and liquid fats Pet waste (faeces) Garden waste and flowers |
How to recycle food waste
It’s as easy to recycle your food waste as to put it in your kitchen waste bin; you’re just putting it into a separate container. Simply follow the steps below:
Put a bag in your kitchen caddy. Please do not use black liners or black bags.
Put any food waste in it.
When full, remove the bag, tie the top and put it in your outside food waste recycling caddy.
Put your food waste recycling caddy out for collection by 7am every week on your usual wheeled bin collection day.
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