Some food waste is unavoidable, but the way in which we deal with it can make a big difference.
Weekly food waste collections will become part of the domestic waste collection services offered by Fylde Council in 2026.
Why are we introducing weekly food waste collections?
The weekly food waste collections are part of the ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation following the UK Government’s Resources and Waste Strategy, published in 2018. The new legislation aims to improve recycling rates and lower greenhouse gas emissions, not just in Fylde but across the UK. Further information about the Government’s plans can be found here.
Food waste has a big impact on the environment. As it rots, it releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. By recycling your food waste, you can help cut down the amount of waste that ends up in your grey bin. Instead, your food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it can be used to generate natural forms of energy.
The other benefits to households are:
- Introducing a weekly food waste collection gives you the opportunity to recycle more of your waste
- Your non-recycling bin will be cleaner and less full if you recycle your food waste
- A weekly food waste collection will be easy and convenient
How your weekly food waste collection will work
As part of the new food waste collection service, all residential properties will be issued with kitchen and kerbside caddy containers, caddy liners and a service information leaflet:
- A 5-litre kitchen caddy (all properties): We recommend storing this under your kitchen sink, next to your current indoor bins, or on your kitchen worktop. It should be easily located for you to use while you are preparing or clearing away food in the kitchen. The kitchen caddy will be issued along with a roll of caddy liners and will be sealable and lockable.
- Kitchen caddy liners: These will be issued along with the caddy and will be replaced when required. Using the caddy liners provided inside your 5-litre kitchen caddy will keep all food waste neatly contained and allow food to be collected appropriately every week. When the caddy liner is full, it should be tied and placed inside the 23-litre kerbside caddy ready for the collection team.
- A 23-litre kerbside caddy (except multi-occupancy premises): These will be used for presenting your food waste outside on collection day. They can be stored away from the kitchen and used for containing your full kitchen caddy liners. This container should be presented at the front-edge of your property nearest the highway on collection day.
What can you put in your food waste caddy?
You will be able to recycle all of your food waste, including:
- All uneaten food and plate scrapings
- Dairy products, cheese and eggs
- Bread, cakes and pastries
- Raw meat, cooked meat, fish and bones
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Fruit, vegetables and peelings
- Rice, pasta, beans and grains
Your new weekly food waste collection service is still in the planning stage. We will update this page with further information on the service, including the kitchen and kerbside container caddy deliveries and complete introduction details in due course.
Food Waste Collection FAQs
Weekly food waste collections will begin from Autumn 2026. While the UK Government’s Simpler Recycling legislation comes into effect from 1 April 2026, Fylde Council has transitional arrangements in place, giving us slightly longer to implement the new service. We’ll provide specific start dates and delivery information for your caddies closer to the launch.
No, this service is included in your usual waste collection service at no additional cost.
This service is being introduced as part of the Government’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation. We encourage all residents to participate to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase recycling rates.
No, your existing bin collections will remain the same. Your grey, blue, brown and green wheeled bins will continue to be collected at the same frequency as they are now. The new weekly food waste collection is an additional service that sits alongside your current waste and recycling arrangements. As part of the UK Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative, kerbside collections for Tetra Pak cartons and soft plastics will also be introduced from Spring 2027.
No, the garden waste subscription service will remain unchanged. The new food waste collection is a separate service for kitchen and food scraps only.
If you already compost, that’s fantastic! You can continue composting garden and vegetable waste while using your food waste caddy for items that can’t go in a home composter, such as raw and cooked meat, fish, bones and pet food.
The caddies are much smaller than your wheeled bins. The 5-litre kitchen caddy is compact and designed to fit under your sink, on your worktop, or next to existing bins. The 23-litre outdoor kerbside caddy is roughly a tenth of the size of your grey wheeled bin and can be stored in any convenient outdoor space until collection day.
Your new food waste caddies shouldn’t attract any more flies or pests than your existing indoor kitchen bin and grey wheeled bin. The outdoor caddy will be collected weekly rather than fortnightly, and both caddies have lockable lids. To prevent smells and messes, use the caddy liners provided, empty the indoor caddy frequently into the outdoor caddy, and keep your caddies clean by rinsing with hot soapy water.
The 23-litre caddies have a lockable lid to prevent them catching in the wind, and have a lower centre of gravity due to their smaller size. We recommend placing your caddy in a sheltered spot until collection day and bringing it back in as soon as possible once emptied. Many councils across the UK use similar caddies successfully, but if you experience any persistent problems once the service starts, we’ll work with residents to find practical solutions.
Caddy liners will be issued in rolls of 50 and will be replaced when required. We will advise residents of how to order additional rolls of caddy liners as the service is rolled out.
Yes, all meat (raw and cooked), fish and bones can go in your food waste caddy. The anaerobic digestion process safely handles all food waste types.
Food waste will be collected weekly. Collection days and scheduled will be confirmed closer to the service launch in 2026.
Our Waste Management team are finalising the colour of the new indoor and outdoor caddies at the moment. Further details will be revealed closer to the service launch.
To keep your kitchen food waste caddy clean, frequently empty and rinse it with hot soapy water and allow the caddy to air dry completely. To prevent smells and messes, use caddy liners and remember to keep the lid closed.
Your food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it’s used to generate renewable energy and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
If your living situation is slightly different, don’t worry. Our Waste Management team are aware that this isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation and will be in touch with guidance that addresses your exact situation in due course. Multi-occupancy premises will receive kitchen caddies, but alternative arrangements will be made for kerbside collection.
