Food waste

Food waste myth busting

Recycling your food waste is one of the most effective ways to make a positive difference in our local area. There are many common myths when it comes to food waste and food recycling. We're here to set the record straight!

“It’s smelly...”

At present, food waste is collected fortnightly in your general waste bin from most areas of Lincolnshire. With the introduction of weekly food waste collections, you’ll be able to dispose of food waste more frequently. If you use and empty your small indoor caddy regularly, it won’t smell any worse than if you put food in your general rubbish bin and may be less smelly since you'll likely empty it more often.

To help reduce any potential smells, take care of your food recycling caddy by cleaning it often and emptying it regularly into your outside bin. We also recommend keeping your caddy out of direct sunlight and always ensuring the lid is closed.

“It’s just more bins – more hassle!...”

The food waste caddy is small, simple to use, and designed to fit right into your kitchen routine. Once you start using it, it quickly becomes second nature, just like recycling.

“The food waste will just go to landfill anyway...”

No kerbside waste in Lincolnshire is sent to landfill.

Collected food waste will be taken to an anaerobic digestion facility where it will be used to generate natural forms of energy, such as biogas - an excellent alternative to fossil fuels, and a fertiliser which can be used in local farming.

“I don’t produce enough food waste...”

Lots of people are surprised by how much food waste they produce. Using a food waste caddy often highlights how much you throw away. Even small amounts of food waste add up, such as a banana peels, tea bags, or crusts of bread.

“It attracts wild animals...”

There’s no need to be concerned about wild animals being attracted to your food waste caddy. They have lockable handles to prevent vermin from being attracted and getting in.

“I don’t need to take part, I compost everything.”

This is great, but the caddy accepts things home composting can’t handle – such as: cooked food leftovers, meat and fish, dairy products, pastries and cakes, bread, citrus peels and onion skins and small bones.

“It won’t make a difference...”

Every bit of food waste sorted makes a real impact. Small actions from individuals lead to big environmental change.

“Why is the taxpayer funding this?”

The food waste service is government-funded, meaning it’s supported by national resources to help councils reduce environmental impact and improve recycling. In the long run, recycling food waste can save money by reducing disposal costs and generating green energy or compost.

“I don’t have enough room for an indoor caddy in my kitchen”

Try keeping your caddy under the sink, next to the kitchen bin or on the worktop. You can even use your own container such as an old ice cream tub for a perfect fit!

“I can’t afford it”

Food waste disposal won’t cost you extra. We provide a small indoor caddy, bigger outdoor food waste bin and an initial roll of caddy liners.

Minimising your food waste in the first place (what you buy and waste) also helps you save money. On average, households in the UK throw away £700 of edible food each year! 

“I don’t have time”

Like any other habit, it just takes time for your new food waste routine to become second nature. Keeping your food waste caddy under the sink or together with your general waste bin will help you remember to separate your food waste when you’re putting things into the bin. 

There is more myth busting from our disposal partners at BioteCH4.

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is a process that uses microorganisms to break down food waste in the absence of oxygen, inside an enclosed system.

As it breaks down it gives off methane, which is collected and converted into biogas and used to generate electricity, heat or transport fuels. It also creates a nutrient-rich digestate that can be used as a fertiliser for agriculture and in land regeneration.