Food waste collections

We've introduced a weekly food waste collection service across Hart

We've introduced a new weekly food waste collection service across Hart. Food waste collections started Monday 6 October.

Let's go for food waste collections!

You can now start filling your food waste caddies and communal food waste bins, ready for your collections each week.

  • Show the information leaflet to everyone in your home so they know how to recycle their food waste
  • You can also scan the QR code on the top of your grey indoor caddy for food waste help if your leaflet goes missing

Food waste is collected weekly on the same day as your waste and recycling, unless we have written to you, to tell you otherwise. Food waste is collected by a separate vehicle so your various containers may be picked up at different times throughout the day.

You can check what days your bins are collected if you aren't sure. 

This will allow you to recycle up to a third of the waste that currently goes into black rubbish bins.

Get set for your new service

We have been delivering everything you need for your new food waste service across the district throughout August and September. 

All individual households should have now received their caddies and we are almost there with flats and communal bin stores. 

For inside your home:

  • a grey indoor caddy (dimensions W25.2 x H23.4 x D22.9 cm)
  • a roll of 52 liners
  • an information leaflet

For outside your home:

  • If you have wheeled bins collected at the kerbside, we’ll also provide you with a green outdoor caddy (dimensions W32 x H40.5 x D40 cm). Write your house name or number on this caddy in the blank white square using permanent marker or paint.
  • If you use communal waste bins, your shared bin for food waste will be delivered separately.

Missed homes or issues with deliveries

If we have missed you when delivering caddies or there is an issue with your caddy or the items inside it, please email enquiries@hart.gov.uk so we can arrange delivery or replacements.

Food waste is collected by a separate vehicle so your various containers may be picked up at different times throughout the day. Our crews are out collecting until 4pm each day. If you think you have been missed, you can report a missed collection through our website. 

Can I recycle my Halloween pumpkin?

Yes. When Halloween is over, recycle your spooky masterpieces using the food waste collection service. Make sure that you put your pumpkin out as soon as possible - the crews will not collect them if they are rotting. Here's what to do:

  • cut up your pumpkin and pop it (minus decorations) into liners and put them in your food waste caddy, or place whole on top of your green caddy if it is too big - so that our crews don't accidentally remove a pumpkin you haven't finished with!
  • if you have more than one pumpkin to dispose of, put them in a plastic bag and leave beside your green caddy on collection day.
  • if you use communal food waste bins, place your pumpkins into bags and put them into your shared bin. Don't leave on the floor beside the bins if they are full - please wait until the food waste bin has been emptied.

Don't forget to check if you're a golden ticket winner

Check inside your leaflet to see if you’re the lucky recipient of a food waste caddy golden ticket.

Find out more about our golden tickets

Do some food waste prep

Now that you are separating out your food waste, could you start watching what food you’re wasting each week? Reducing the amount of edible food you throw away will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.

All about your weekly food waste collections

How to use the service

1. Line your grey indoor caddy

Line your caddy to keep your containers clean, prevent mould and protect our collection staff. We’ve given you a roll of 52 compostable liners. Once these run out you can buy more from the supermarket or reuse plastic liners or bags such as bread bags. These will be removed before your food waste is recycled.

2. Fill your indoor caddy

Use the information leaflet or our food waste webpages to help you to decide what goes in your food waste caddy.

3. Empty your grey indoor caddy

Tie your liner and put it in your green outdoor collection caddy or shared food waste bin. Store your outdoor caddy in the shade if you can with the handle in the upright position. This will help to prevent smells and will lock the lid of your caddy.

4. Your collection day

Your outdoor food waste caddy or shared bin will be emptied each week on the same day as your waste and recycling bins, unless we’ve told you otherwise. Put all containers out at your collection point by 6am. Food waste is collected by a separate vehicle so your various containers may be picked up at different times throughout the day.

What you can recycle in food waste collections

Food waste is any waste generated through the preparation of food, or where there are leftovers after a meal. This includes:

  • fruit and vegetable peelings, cores and skins
  • teabags, coffee grounds and coffee filter papers
  • plate scrapings
  • raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones and shells
  • dairy products and eggshells
  • bread, cakes and pastries
  • cooked and uncooked rice, pasta and beans
  • petfood

There are a few things that can't be put in your food waste bin. Please don't use it for:

  • any liquids including milk, oils, fats, custard, cream and gravy
  • packaging: put your pots, tubs, trays and similar packaging in your waste bin as normal. Put all clean plastic bottles, tins, cans, paper and cardboard in your blue recycling bin
  • kitchen roll
  • nappies
  • clinical waste
  • cat litter, dog poo or other pet waste
  • garden waste and cut flowers
  • other material that is not food waste

What will happen to my food waste?

The recycling process turns food waste into a biogas. This contains natural gas, which is a greener energy source than fossil fuels, and valuable soil products such as nutrient-rich compost and liquid fertiliser.

Why are we introducing food waste

By separating food waste, we should be able to deliver over 20% increases in recycling rates across the district.

Under the Environment Act 2021 all local authorities in England must provide weekly food waste collections by April 2026. By doing so we want to improve our recycling rate. 

Separating your food waste from your rubbish will reduce the amount you are currently putting in your waste bin and increase the amount you recycle which is vital for reducing carbon emissions.

Plans for further recycling changes

Hampshire County Council is proposing to upgrade its recycling processing plant, meaning in the future we will be able to collect more recyclable items. These include plastic pots, tubs and trays and food and drink cartons. We’ll keep you updated about progress on these changes. 

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