Food waste harms the environment – it wastes the energy, fuel and water that went into producing it and, if not recycled or treated correctly, can produce methane, a damaging greenhouse gas.

Recycling your food waste helps fight climate change and makes savings for essential public services.

Despite most residents separating out their food in their brown bin, food waste still takes up one fifth of Dorset's rubbish bins, by weight. This is bad for the environment and the taxpayer, as waste mixed with food is sent away for expensive treatment.

The collected food waste is taken to an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant in Piddlehinton, here in Dorset. As it is breaking down, it gives off biogas which is used to generate heat and electricity. It also produces a fertiliser which can be used as a soil improver for local farmers and businesses.

This video shows you how food waste is dealt with at our AD plant:

How to use the Food Waste service

Please line your caddy with either newspaper or a compostable liner.

Check for the “compostable” logo     Compostable logo
 

These videos give some handy tips from residents about how to use the service and keep your caddy clean.

7-litre kitchen caddy (keep indoors) and 23-litre food waste bin (keep outdoors)

Table of items that can and can't be placed in a food waste bin
Yes please No thanks

Compostable and newspaper caddy liners

All cooked and uncooked food, including:

  • meat, fish and bones
  • fruit and vegetable peelings
  • cheese and dairy produce
  • cakes, bread and pastries
  • leftovers, including plate scrapings
  • tea bags and coffee grounds
  • pasta, rice and eggshells

 
  • carrier bags/plastic bags
  • food packaging
  • garden waste
  • pet waste
  • liquids
  • oil or liquid fats

I'd use a food waste bin and/or caddy if I had one!

All Dorset households should have received a food waste bin and kitchen caddy when we rolled out the Recycle For Dorset kerbside collection service.

Replacement bins can be obtained from our various glass box, food waste bin and kitchen caddy collection points. If you need a replacement bin of any kind, please let us know.

Kitchen caddy liners are available at all supermarkets and most local shops. Dorset Council does not provide these. 

You can also line your caddy with newspaper to wrap your food waste.

Reducing your food waste

Although recycling food waste is good, reducing the amount of food wasted is even better. It can also save you money. An average family of 4 can save just over £60 per month by reducing their food waste.

Waste less food, save money and look after the environment!

I home-compost. Should I be using my food waste bin instead?

Home-composting is the best way to deal with your food waste - even better than using your food waste bin. If you dispose of your food waste using a home-compost bin or an old-fashioned compost heap, please continue and accept our thanks for your efforts!

Why have I received a sticker on my bin?

To help promote our food recycling service, Dorset Council has been attaching stickers to rubbish bins across Dorset.

The stickers are placed regardless of the contents of the rubbish bin and whether they are accompanied by a food waste bin out for collection or not. This is the fairest and most efficient way to ensure we deliver the message consistently across all households. Please don't feel you have been singled out or mistakenly "targeted" in any way if you do use the food waste service. The sticker is just a reminder to residents to use the correct bin when disposing of food waste and will not affect your collection. While it is not recyclable, it is designed to stay on the bin