Food waste project - FAQs

Why has somebody placed a sticker on my bin?

You may have noticed that your refuse bin has been applied with a ‘no food waste’ sticker. This was done to encourage residents to use our food waste collection service. Recycling food waste saves energy, as well as money, so the more food that we recycle, the better it is for the environment. Food recycling also helps keep your rubbish bin fresh. Caddies are collected weekly and are easy to clean and rinse.

Will you still collect my refuse bin if there is food waste inside it?

Your refuse bin will still be collected if there is food waste inside it, however we encourage you to recycle your food waste wherever possible.

How does the food waste collection service work?

Food waste is collected on every week on your dedicated collection day. Please ensure that your food waste is contained within a caddy liner and that the caddy liners are presented for collection within the external food waste caddy. Please put your external food waste caddy out by 7am on your collection day. Food waste is collected by a separate crew and therefore may be collected at a different time to that of your recycling or refuse. Find out your collection dates.

What can I put inside my food waste caddy?

Place any raw or cooked food in your caddy to be recycled. Do not place anything that's not solid food into your caddy, eg oils and liquids, nappies, soil or rubble, or packaging of any sort.

I would like to participate by recycling my food waste, but I do not have the food caddies.

To support the project and increase food waste recycling, we have introduced a discounted price for the external caddy which usually costs £18.10. For a limited period we have discounted the price of an external caddy to £10.00 starting from 16th September.  Order your food caddy.

Do I have to purchase an external food caddy and a kitchen caddy to use the food waste collection service?

You would only need to purchase an external food caddy to ensure your food waste is collected by the crews. You do not have to purchase the indoor kitchen caddy from us, you can purchase this online or from a shop as the kitchen caddy is for internal use only.

Do I have to keep the sticker on my refuse bin?

We recommend that you leave the sticker on your refuse bin to remind you that food waste can be recycled. However, if you would like to remove it, you can.

How was the distribution of stickers/leaflets and caddy liners funded?

The distribution of the stickers/leaflets was funded by Kent County Council in a bid to increase our recycling rates. The free caddy liners provided to each household were funded by Dover District Council/Folkestone & Hythe District Council.

I don’t have any food waste because I compost it or ensure there is no food wasted.

Great job! If you are composting your food waste or limiting your food waste already then you are doing your part for the environment. You can gift the caddy liners to a neighbour/friend or family member if you have no use for them.

I have not received a sticker/leaflet or food waste caddy liners, but my neighbours have?

If you have not received your sticker/leaflet or caddy liners but your neighbours have, please contact us at: Environmental.services@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.