Food waste caddies

For houses

• We provide one five-litre kitchen caddy and one 23-litre kerbside caddy for all food waste.
• We collect the kerbside caddy weekly. Place it by your property boundary by 6.45am on collection day.
• Food and residual waste are collected separately in the same vehicle. 

If you do not have a kitchen or kerbside caddy you can request one using our online form:

Request a kitchen or kerbside caddy 

For flats

• We provide a five-litre kitchen caddy and an outdoor food waste bin.
• Depending on where you live, your outdoor food waste bin will either be your own 23-litre green kerbside caddy, or a communal brown-lidded wheeled bin. Do not put food in your outside bin loose. Wrap it using a liner, bag or newspaper.
• We collect outdoor bins weekly. If you have a kerbside caddy, ensure it is out by 6.45am on collection day.

If you don't have a kitchen caddy, email us at recycle@dacorum.gov.uk.

Please note: Flats on high streets do not currently have food waste recycling. Please continue using the grey-lidded bin or purple sacks.

What we can collect

Please remove all packaging before putting food into your caddy.

• Uneaten food and plate scrapings
• Raw/cooked meat and fish (including bones)
• Fruit and vegetables (raw and cooked) and peelings
• Baked goods - such as bread, cakes and pastries
• Out of date or mouldy food
• Rice, pasta, beans
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Dairy products, such as cheese
• Eggs and egg shells
• Solid fats and oils (no liquids).

What we can't collect

• Packaging - (cellophane, polystyrene, nets, pots, tubs, trays or jars). Soft plastic bags can be used as caddy liners
• Flowers and house plants - put these in the green-lidded bin.
• Liquids - for example, milk, fats and oils. Store oils can in disposable plastic bottles and recycle them at your local Recycling Centre. Do not pour fats and oils down the sink.

If the wrong items are in your bin, we won’t be able to empty it. Our crews will record the problem and leave an advisory note on your bin. You will need to remove the items before the next collection.

If you have any questions, email us at recycle@dacorum.gov.uk.

How to use your caddies

Kitchen caddy

Use your small kitchen caddy to collect food waste from your home. The clip close lid will minimise smells and prevent insects getting in.

For hygiene and convenience, line your kitchen caddy with a compostable liner or plastic bag (such as carrier bags, bread bags, cereal bags) and put food waste in. Or you can wrap your food waste in newspaper. Compostable liners can be bought online or at supermarkets.

Kerbside caddy

Transfer the food waste from your kitchen caddy into the larger kerbside caddy, which you put out for collection.

The kerbside caddy has a lockable lid. When the handle is in the upright-to-front position the lid will be locked. Move the handle towards the back of the caddy and it will unlock, allowing you to lift the lid and put your food waste inside. Ensure the lid is locked when not in use to prevent vermin getting inside.

When the kerbside caddy is put out for collection, please leave the handle in the upright position for our collection crews.

Missed collections

If you put your kerbside caddy out for collection on the correct day and we missed it, you can report it online. Please do this within 48 hours of your scheduled collection day.
Report a missed bin collection

Top tips for food waste recycling

 

Avoiding smells

• As your kitchen caddy is smaller than your general waste bin it will need emptying more often. This will help to avoid any unwanted smells.
• Kerbside caddies are collected weekly (rather than fortnightly), which can help reduce odours.
• Use a liner and wash out your caddy regularly.

Preventing flies and maggots

• Empty food waste straight into the caddy and keep the lid closed/locked when not in use
• Seal liners tightly before placing them in the kerbside caddy
• Clean both caddies regularly, especially in hot weather

Reducing food waste

You could save up to £720 a year by reducing your food waste. 

Our #WorthSaving campaign has tips on meal planning, correct food storage, and using leftovers.

Learn more about reducing your food waste.

What happens to my food waste?

Find out more about what happens to your waste once we collect it.