Spelthorne Borough Council

Providing Quality Services to the People of
Ashford, Laleham, Shepperton, Staines, Stanwell & Sunbury

Food waste collection frequently asked questions

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Food waste collection frequently asked questions | What goes in my food waste bin? | Compostable food bin liner stockists

Why do we need a food waste collection?
What about composting?
How is food waste collected?
When will it be collected?
How does the system?
How do I lock my outdoor bin?
What goes in?
Can I put peelings into my food waste caddy?
Why do I have to do this – I am very short of time?
Won’t this be very messy and smelly?
Can I use plastic bags to line my caddy?
Can I put my house number on the collection bin?
I do not produce food waste, what should I do with the containers?
What happens to the food waste and where does it go?
Can we have two food waste bins?
Where is the waste going?
Is a separate vehicle be used?
Can you collect cat/dog food?
Can you collect nut shells, fruit pips? Why do we need a food waste collection?
Providing a weekly food waste collection significantly improves the waste collection service for our residents. It also reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill which is becoming increasingly costly and results in environmental problems as it degrades in landfill sites.
Collecting food waste raises recycling rates. Putting food into your rubbish is one of the primary causes of bad smells and attraction of flies etc. Food waste currently comprises about 40% of household waste. Rotting food in landfill produced methane – a powerful greenhouse gas – which contributes to climate change and contaminates sites for years. A liquid – leachate – is also produced that can pollute groundwater and water courses, damaging the plants and animals who live there. Providing recycling is separated, it is free of contamination so 100% is recycled. This means no material that could have been recycled, ends up in landfill. What about composting?
We are very keen that those people who can, should compost. There is a range of reasonably priced composters available from www.surreycc.gov.uk/getcomposting (external website) or via 0844 5714444, and food waste digesters (green cones and green johannas) available from www.greatgreensystems.com (external website) or 01884 308075.Domestic composters are only able to process raw food waste such as vegetable peelings and tea bags. However all food waste is suitable for food waste digesters.  Our  green cones and green johannas are available and can take all cooked food waste including bones, dairy and meat products as well as everything you would normally compost.
How often is food waste collected? We collect your food waste every week. When will it be collected? We collect on the same day as your current rubbish/recycling – same timings and arrangements – the containers will need to be placed kerbside. How does the system work?
There are two bins:
  • a small ‘caddy’ for use in the kitchen and
  • a larger bin for outside the house
Empty the contents of the caddy when it is full, into the larger outside bin which is the one that will be collected.How do I lock my outdoor bin?
Handle to the back, bin open. Handle upright, bin locked and ready for collection. Handle at the front, bin locked. You need to put it, with the handle upright (locked position) clearly visible at the edge of your home - with your other rubbish or recycling. What goes in?
We will take:
  • tea bags and coffee grounds
  • all leftover food
  • rice, beans and pasta
  • bread cakes and pastries
  • eggs, including shells
  • meat and fish – raw and cooked, including bones
  • fruit and vegetables – raw and cooked and peelings, nut shells
  • all dairy products such as cream and cheese
  • uneaten food
In other words, any food that is left over.
We cannot take:
  • packaging of any sort,
  • plastic bags,
  • liquids, oil or fat,
  • pet litter,
  • wood shavings or ash,
  • green garden waste,
  • dead flowers,
  • milk.
Tins, some plastics and cardboard can all be put in your light green recycling bin.
Can I put peelings into my food waste caddy? Yes - raw or cooked. Why do I have to do this – I am very short of time? It is very quick and easy to scrape leftover food into the caddy and takes no longer than putting it into an ordinary bin. Won’t this be very messy and smelly?
First line your bin with newspaper, or compostable liners. Empty the contents of your caddy regularly into the outside food waste bin, tying up the compostable liners or folding the newspaper tightly. The bin has a lockable lid which will stop smells and prevent vermin getting in. Frequent rinsing with hot water and/or disinfectant, will reduce the chances of unpleasant smells.Can I use plastic bags to line my caddy?No. Compostable liners decompose, plastic bags don’t. You will be given an initial supply of liners which are available at all good supermarkets and other shops. Do make sure that the ones you buy are compostable - there will be information on the packaging.
Can I put my house number on the collection bin? Yes, this is recommended as it also helps collection crews to return the bins to the right addresses. I do not produce food waste, what should I do with the containers? We ask you to keep the bins and see how things go. If you really have no use for them, give us a call and we will see what we can do. What happens to the food waste and where does it go?
Food waste is taken to special outlets where it is recycled and turned into compost/soil improver.
Can we have two food waste bins? Experience in other parts of Surrey has shown that most households should not require two food waste bins. However, for households over five people we would on, an individual basis, consider providing an extra food waste bin. Where is the waste going?
We will be taking it to the tipping points used for rubbish and recycling. It will then by taken in bulk by Surrey County Council, the waste disposal authority for composting. The compost is then used on agricultural land as a fertiliser.
Is a separate vehicle be used? For the majority of households the food waste is collected in a separate container on the same vehicle used for rubbish/recycling collections so there is no additional refuse trucks.
Can you collect cat/dog food?Yes.Can you collect nut shells, fruit pips?Yes.
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