Food waste collections

We’ll be introducing a weekly food waste collection service from October 2025

We are introducing a new weekly food waste collection service across Hart. All food waste collections will start during the week beginning Monday 6 October.

Your food waste caddies will be collected every week on the same day as your waste and recycling, unless we tell you otherwise.

You can check what days your bins are collected if you aren't sure. Food waste collections will be added later as we move towards the start of the service.

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

We will share all updates on this page and through our other channels.

Get set for your new weekly service

We are delivering everything you need for your new food waste service across the district throughout August and September, although we won't be able to give you an exact date that you will receive it. 

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.

Going to be away over the summer?

No problem. Ask your neighbour to keep your caddies safe while your away. You do not need to be at home when these containers arrive, instructions will be inside the caddy to assist you.

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

When your caddy arrives, open it up and 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

Read your information leaflet inside your grey caddy and keep it safe for when the service starts.

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.

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 and coffee grounds
  • 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
  • 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.

Find out more about food waste changes

We will contact all residents directly with more detailed information closer to the start date of the service. We will also share regular updates through:

  • this webpage
  • our social media channels
  • our residents’ email newsletter
  • Hart News

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. 

Is this page helpful?

Last reviewed: