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
- Wet and dry pet food
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.
Come and meet the team
Ahead of the launch of our new weekly food waste collection service, our waste team will be out and about across Fylde this summer and autumn.
Come along to find out more about the changes, see the new kitchen and kerbside caddies in person, and ask any questions you may have.
Drop-in Engagement Sessions
All sessions are weather dependent and will be held from 10am to 12pm unless otherwise stated.
- Monday 29 June – Market Square, Kirkham
- Tuesday 7 July – Clifton Square, Lytham
- Tuesday 14 July – St Annes Square (9.30am to 11.30am)
- Monday 20 July – Market Square, Kirkham
- Tuesday 28 July – Clifton Square, Lytham
- Tuesday 4 August – St Annes Square
- Monday 10 August – Market Square, Kirkham
- Tuesday 18 August – Clifton Square, Lytham
- Tuesday 25 August – St Annes Square
Additional Community Events and Meetings
The waste team will also be attending a number of existing community events and meetings throughout the summer. Residents are welcome to come along, find out more about the new service and ask any questions.
- Monday 6 July – Freckleton Parish Council Meeting, Freckleton Village Memorial Hall, 7pm to 8pm
- Monday 27 July – Ansdell and Fairhaven Parish Council Meeting, St Paul’s Church, 7pm to 8pm
- Wednesday 13 August – Just Good Friends, The Palace, St Annes, 10am to 12pm
- Sunday 16 August – Lytham 1940s Weekend, 10am to 4pm
- Thursday 3 September – Fosbrooke House, Lytham, 2pm to 3pm
- Saturday 5 September – St Annes Kite Festival, 11am to 5pm
- Wednesday 23 September – Just Good Friends, The Palace, St Annes, 10am to 12pm
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Getting started
When will the food waste collection service start in my area?
Weekly food waste collections will begin in phases across the borough from Autumn 2026. You’ll receive a letter before your service starts, followed by delivery of your kitchen caddy, kerbside caddy and liners ahead of your first collection. Specific start dates for your address will be confirmed closer to the launch. Keep an eye on this page and our social media channels for updates.
Will I have to pay extra for this service?
No, this service is included in your usual waste collection service at no additional cost.
Is the food waste collection mandatory?
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.
2. Your caddies
What will I receive?
Every household will receive a 5-litre kitchen caddy, a 23-litre outdoor kerbside caddy and a roll of caddy liners, along with a service information leaflet. Multi-occupancy premises will receive kitchen caddies, with alternative kerbside arrangements made separately.
What colour will the caddies be?
Both the kitchen caddy and outdoor kerbside caddy will be light grey.
What if I don’t have space for the caddies?
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.
Will the caddy smell or attract flies and pests?
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.
Will the outdoor caddy blow away in windy weather?
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.
How should I clean my caddies?
Frequently empty and rinse your kitchen caddy with hot soapy water and allow it to air dry completely. To prevent smells and messes, use caddy liners and keep the lid closed.
3. Caddy liners
How do I get replacement caddy liners?
Caddy liners will be issued in rolls when your caddies are delivered. When you reach the last liner in a roll, simply tie it to your caddy handle on collection day – signalling to our collection team that you need a new roll, which will be left inside your caddy. You don’t have to use the liners provided – any plastic bag or compostable liner works just as well.
Are the caddy liners compostable?
The caddy liners provided are not compostable, but this isn’t a problem for the food waste facility. The bags are automatically opened and separated from the food waste during processing, so everything is still recycled correctly. You don’t need to use the liners we provide – any plastic bag, such as a carrier bag, will work just as well. Compostable liners are also fine if you prefer them.
I have a large family – will one caddy be enough?
The 5-litre kitchen caddy is designed to be emptied regularly into the 23-litre kerbside caddy, so it can accommodate larger households. If you find you’re generating more food waste than expected, the best approach is to empty the kitchen caddy into the kerbside caddy more frequently. You may also find that small changes – such as planning meals and shopping more carefully – can make a real difference to how much food waste your household produces. Visit Love Food Hate Waste for tips and recipe ideas.
4. What can go in the caddy?
What can I put in my food waste caddy?
You’ll 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
- Pet food
Can I put bones and cooked meat in the food waste caddy?
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.
I already compost at home – should I still use the food waste service?
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.
5. Your collections
What day will my food waste be collected?
Food waste will be collected weekly on your usual bin collection day. To check which day your bins are collected, visit www.fylde.gov.uk/wasteportal. Please keep an eye on our social media channels or visit our food waste webpage for the latest updates on when the new service will be introduced from October 2026.
What happens to the food waste after collection?
Your food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it’s used to generate renewable energy and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Impact on other services
Will this change my other bin collections?
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 soft plastics will also be introduced from Spring 2027.
Will this change the garden waste collection service?
No, the garden waste subscription service will remain unchanged. The new food waste collection is a separate service for food waste only.
I live in a flat/apartment/HMO – how will this affect me?
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.
