Food waste

Why collect food waste separately?

Analysis of what households throw away shows that the largest portion of the black bin is food waste, contributing over 40% (by weight). The Waste Strategy 2007 for England identifies food waste as a key priority for reducing the quantity of residual waste requiring disposal.

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Why is biodegradable waste so bad for the environment?

Biodegradable waste is any sort of material made of natural products that will rot down, such as, paper, cardboard garden and food waste. When food waste decomposes in a landfill site it releases methane - a greenhouse gas that is more than 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.

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Will I receive a weekly food waste collection?

Yes, the service is provided to all households.

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What happens if I do not have a food waste bin?

If for any reason you do not have food waste containers, please contact us.

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When can I start using my food waste containers?

You can start using your food waste containers as soon as they are delivered.

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How will the service work?

Residents are provided with two containers.

Everyone receives one silver 7-litre caddy which is designed to go on your kitchen worktop for easy storage of your food waste and a collection bin.

When the kitchen caddy is full, simply empty it into the collection bin. The collection bin is the container we will empty your food waste from. There are two types of collection bin.

• A 23-litre green collection, predominately used at individual households

• A 140 litre brown lidded wheeled bin which is shared amongst neighbours, predominately used where space is limited at flats

The 23 litre green bin has a lockable lid, which means it will be easily stored outside. Simply close the lid of the box tight, and then move the handle so that it is at the front of the container, and to open it again simply move the handle over to the back.

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How often will food waste be collected?

The 23 litre collection bin will be emptied weekly on the same day as your waste and recycling containers. Please ensure that all bins are presented at the boundary of your property by 06:30 on your scheduled collection day.

The 140 litre brown-lidded wheeled bin will be emptied once every week. The collection day will be highlighted in the information provided with the containers. This may be a different day to the collection of your waste or recycling.

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How can food waste be collected weekly?

Most of our vehicles have two separate compartments, one for either waste or recycling and the second for food waste. Therefore only one vehicle is needed to collect both types of waste from individual households. We also use a separate specialist vehicle to visit communal waste storage areas and empty the 140 litre brown lidded bins.

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Where do I put the bin for collection?

Please ensure that your food waste collection bin is placed along with your waste or recycling containers by 06:30 on the day of your collection. The 140 litre brown lidded wheeled bins will be emptied and returned to the communal waste storage areas.

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What can I recycle in my food caddy?

All items of cooked and uncooked food waste can be recycled using this service, including:

bread, cakes and biscuits	rice and pasta
cheese	noodles
coffee grounds	meat (including bones)
eggs (including shells)	takeaway leftovers
fish (including bones)	plate scrapings
tea bags and tea leaves	fruit and vegetables

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What cannot be put in my food caddy?

The following items cannot be recycled using the food waste collection service:

any plastic, including plastic bags	pet litter
green garden waste	animal bedding
cat, dog or other animal faeces	packaging
disposable nappies	milk
hair	cooking oil
wood shavings or ash	straw / hay
dead flowers	tins (these can be placed in your recycling bin or blue sack)
cardboard (this can be placed in your recycling bin or blue sack	cutlery or kitchenware

Please note: these items will contaminate your food waste and prevent it from being composted.

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What happens to the food waste once it is collected?

Food waste will be transported to Surrey County Council's Waste Transfer Stations, which are managed by SITA Surrey. The food waste is then taken to a composting facility in the south east.

At the facility the food waste is mixed up and placed into tunnels. Each tunnel has a controlled environment where air-flow, temperature and moisture content can be adjusted. This allows both cooked and uncooked food waste to be composted correctly. All emissions from the enclosed tunnels are filtered through a scrubber and bio-filter.

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What happens to the food waste once it is composted?

The compost produced meets the Animal By-Product Regulations 2005 and can be used by agricultural, horticultural and land-based industries, for example, as a soil improver in agriculture or as topsoil in land restoration.

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What happens if the bin is not collected?

If we have been unable to empty your food waste container, then a hanger label will be placed on the bin indicating that there was a problem. If there is no hanger label, then it may have been missed. If you think your container has been missed, please contact Woking Borough Council on 01483 755855.

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What happens if my food waste is rejected?

If your collection bin contains items that are unsuitable for the composting facility it will not be emptied by the collection crews and a hanger label will be placed onto the bin. In these cases, please remove any unsuitable items and re-present the food waste collection bin the following week for collection.

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Won't the food waste attract animals?

The 23 litre collection bin lid can be locked or opened by altering the position of the attached handle. We would recommend that the outside collection bin lid is kept locked at all times.

Each week the collection operatives will fit the 140 litre brown lidded wheeled bin with a new compostable liner. Residents can assist by ensuring the lid of the 140 litre bin is kept closed at all times.

Experience elsewhere shows that hygiene issues are considered less important by residents who actually participate in collections, indicating that these are often perceived issues rather than problems actually experienced in reality.

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If I put extra food out for collection by the bin will this be collected?

For hygiene reasons, please ensure all food waste is placed inside the containers provided and the lids are kept closed. Additional bins can be supplied by the Council if required.

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Can I still use my home compost bin?

Yes. The food waste collections can be used in addition to your home compost bin. Food waste collections will be a suitable method of recycling items such as meat and fish, which cannot be composted in a traditional home composter.

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Can I still use my Food Waste Digester?

Yes. However, there may be occasions where you would prefer to have your food waste collected, for example, during periods of cold weather when the composting process slows down.

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I do not produce food waste, what should I do with the containers?

Even if you rarely produce food waste, or produce small quantities, it is important that you compost it rather than send it to landfill and damage the environment. The Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has shown in `The Food We Waste' study that even households that claim to generate no food waste at all can produce on average 2.9kg per week. From collection schemes elsewhere `unavoidable' food waste, such as peelings, cores and bones, account for the highest proportion of separately collected food waste. For these reasons we ask that you keep the bins and use them when ever necessary.

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I don't have time to recycle - why should I have to do this?

Using this service really is easy. All you need to do is put your food waste in the containers provided instead of your usual rubbish bin. By taking part in the scheme you will be directly helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as helping the Council and borough residents to save money by avoiding landfill charges. We are all responsible for the waste we generate and should learn to deal with it in a responsible way.

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Can I use plastic carrier bags to line my kitchen caddy?

No. Under no circumstances must any plastic carrier bags or other alternative plastic bags be used as they cannot be composted at the treatment facility and will be rejected at point of collection.

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What can I use to line my kitchen caddy?

Residents can use paper (e.g. newspaper or paper bags) or purchase compostable liners from local stores which are compliant with European Standard, EN 13432. These liners are made of potato or corn starch and compost the same as the food.

To be compliant with European Standard EN 13432, this logo will be printed on the actual bag itself. If the logo is printed on the packaging for the liners but is not clearly displayed on the bags then please do not use them.

If you use a liner or bag that does not show this logo then your food waste will not be collected.

These are available from supermarkets and stores in Woking such as Robert Dyas, Sainsbury's and Waitrose stores. The shops listed are those that Woking Borough Council has been informed sell approved compostable liners. Please note that we cannot guarantee that these outlets stock liners.

Alternatively, an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to collect and dispose of food waste is for residents to wrap their food waste directly into newspaper to form parcels that can then be placed directly into their collection container. Newspaper is a natural deodoriser and helps keep the bins clean, plus both the newspaper and food waste can be composted.

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Can I put my house number on the collection bin?

We would recommend that residents put their house number on the 23 litre collection bin. This will also help our collection crews to return the bin to the correct address. The 140 litre brown lidded wheeled bin is shared between neighbours therefore there is no need to attach any address details.

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How do I keep the container clean?

We would recommend that the silver kitchen caddy and the 23 litre collection bin are washed out periodically to prevent unwanted smells. If cleaning products are used please give the containers a final rinse with clean water.

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What happens if I need assistance with the food waste collection service?

If you are having difficulties presenting your waste, recycling or food waste bin at the boundary of your property for collection, please contact Woking Borough Council on 01483 755855.

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My bin has broken can I have a replacement?

If your bin has broken through usage please call Woking Borough Council on 01483 755855 and provide your name, address and contact telephone number.

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Can I have another caddy or food waste collection bin?

The Council will provide each household with one silver kitchen caddy and a collection bin (either 23-litre or 1240 litre). If you find it more convenient to have an additional caddy in your kitchen, you may purchase one or alternatively use an old ice cream tub. These bins should provide enough space for the disposal of food waste, if not, please contact us to discuss your requirements.