Food waste

To use the weekly food waste collection service you should have two food waste caddies:

A small food waste caddy (approx 5 litres, H23cm x D23cm x W26cm) designed to be kept inside your house, to help make it easier to dispose of your food waste.
A larger animal proof bin with a lockable lid (approx 20 litres, H39cm x D39cm x W31cm), which is kept outside. You empty your small caddy into this bin.

What food will I be able to put in the caddies?

Bread, cakes and pastries
Dairy products
Egg shells
Fish and seafood bones and shells
Food past its use-by-date, food that has gone off
Fruit and vegetable peelings, pips and cores
Household flowers
Meat and bones eg chicken carcasses
Pizza and pasta
Plate scrapings and left over food
Rice and pulses
Tea bags, tea leaves, coffee grounds

What can't I put in the food waste caddies?

Garden waste
Food packaging
Liquids, including tea and coffee
Mice and birds killed by cats/other animals
Oil or liquid fat
Plastic bags

Lining the food waste caddies

Food waste can be put directly into the food waste caddies, or the caddies can be lined. You can line the caddies with either a small amount of newspaper or a compostable liner/bag. Using these will help dislodge the food waste when the collection takes place.

The collection crew will tap the caddy on the edge of the slave bin to dislodge the contents. If this does not remove the entire contents they are not expected to dislodge it using other methods. You would have to remove this food waste.

If you want to use compostable caddy liners/bags, they can be bought at many local shops. The liners must be 100% compostable. You won't be able to use plastic bags.

Locking the lids

The larger food waste caddy will have a lockable lid to prevent animals getting to the food. You will just need to place the handle in either the upright position or down at the front of the bin.

Collection day

On your collection day every week leave your larger food waste caddy at the front boundary of your property by 6am, making sure it is locked. Your food waste will be collected and your caddy replaced ready for next time. All the food waste collected will be turned into fertilizer.

Food for thought

In the UK we throw away 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink every year. Most of this could have been eaten, but instead ends up in landfill creating greenhouse gases. A typical family with children throws away £680's worth of food a year. Even better than recycling food waste is reducing the amount created in the first place. There are three tips which can save you money and reduce what goes to landfill:

Plan meals in advance - keep a shopping list, shop for specific ingredients, buy foods that can be used for several dishes, look for foods with the longest shelf life
Use food in time - make sure you understand food date labels. Best before dates refer to quality rather than food safety, so foods with a best before date should still be safe to eat after the date given. However, use by dates refer to safety. Food can be eaten up to this date, but not after, even if it looks and smells fine. Always follow the storage instructions on packs
Love your leftovers - get creative with leftovers. Blitz crusts and stale bread in a food processor to make breadcrumbs. Freeze small amounts of wine or beer in ice cube trays to pop into casseroles and stews when cooking. Use the remains of a roast chicken for a risotto or curry later in the week. Freeze left over dinner as a ready meal for another time.

Visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for recipe ideas and advice on reducing food waste generally.

Frequently asked questions

For further information please contact Customer Services on 01883 722000 or e-mail customerservices@tandridge.gov.uk

Or write to us at:
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted RH8 0BT

Maps and directions to our offices.

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