Broadland food waste collections

orange peel being tipped into a food waste bin

Our food waste service has expanded and food waste collections are now available to all Broadland households with individual bins. If you are new to the service, you will have your kitchen caddy, outside food bin and biodegradable liners to use. If you have a communal bin site, you will be contacted separately with details of when you will receive the service.

How does the scheme work?

The food waste scheme provides two bins; a small container called a caddy for use inside the home and a larger container to put outside for collecting.

Food waste is collected weekly and can be put out alongside either your rubbish or recycling bin. Please put the larger food waste container (not the caddy) on the boundary of your property by 6:30am on your usual collection day and make sure it is visible. If you are unsure about your bin collections you can view them here.

We will provide you with free biodegradeable liners, or you can use any plastic bag or newspaper you have available, to fit inside the caddy. To request more liners, please tie a liner to the handle of your bin and the crew will leave you some more.  

If you are already part of the food waste scheme but need to report your bin as damaged, lost or stolen bin we will offer a replacement bin free of charge. 

Why recycle food waste?

Recycling your food waste is better for the environment. Rotting food generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) and contributes to global warming and climate change.

When recycled, food waste can be turned into something useful. Your food waste will be taken to a special processing plant in the UK where it is used to generate electricity and fertiliser which can be used in farming. If every household in Broadland recycled their food waste, we could save up to 270 tonnes of CO2eq being released in the atmosphere each year!

Additionally, your rubbish bin will be cleaner and less full if you recycle your food waste.

How is my food waste recycled?

Your food waste is composted in sealed tanks which create a natural biogas to be used as a fuel in a combined heat and power generation unit to generate renewable energy. The leftovers form a nutrient rich bio-fertiliser which is applied to farmland twice a year.

Will my bin smell?

Food waste is collected weekly, so this will help to reduce any smells. Remember to empty your kitchen caddy into your outdoor food waste bin regularly and give them a rinse to keep them fresh.

What if I don’t produce any food waste?

There is no amount too small. The best thing we can do with our food is enjoy it, but some waste is unavoidable like banana skins, tea bags and vegetable peelings all of which can be recycled.

Still have questions or an issue?

If you still have questions about the food waste service and can't see the answer on this page, please email the team with your food waste query.

What can you recycle in your food waste caddy?

  • The following can be put in your food waste bin:
     

    • raw food - vegetables, fruit, meat and fish
    • cooked food - vegetables, fruit, meat and fish
    • meat and fish bones, including turkey carcass
    • teabags and coffee grounds
    • dairy products - eggshells and cheese
    • bread, cakes and pastries
    • rice, pasta and beans
    • out of date food
    • food scrapings from your plate
    • animal food - wet and dry cat and dog food
  • We cannot accept the following:
     

    • any food packaging - cans, glass, trays, cartons, hard plastic
    • liquid foods or drinks - oils, fat, gravies, milk
    • animal waste
    • any material that is not food waste