Lincolnshire is introducing weekly food waste collections as part of the Government’s Environment Act 2021. This supports the UK’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
At present, most food waste is disposed of with general waste and sent to an Energy from Waste plant in North Hykeham. While this generates electricity, it also produces carbon emissions—approximately 0.7 to 1.7 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of waste. Food waste makes up about 26% of general waste in Lincolnshire.
Separating food waste enables recycling through anaerobic digestion, producing renewable biogas and fertiliser that reduce carbon emissions and support local agriculture, while helping you monitor and reduce food waste to save money and lessen your environmental impact.
Fun fact: Just one recycled banana skin can generate enough energy to charge your phone twice!
By rolling out food waste recycling across Lincolnshire, it could boost our recycling rates by up to 7%. A big win for a cleaner, greener county!
Recycling centres
Food waste can still be brought to Household Waste Recycling Centres, but the kerbside service is preferred for convenience and proper recycling.
Holiday and bank holiday collections
Collection schedules may vary during holidays and bank holidays. Updates will be provided in advance.
Participation
No registration is required. Equipment will be delivered before the service starts in your area.
Service details
Collection frequency and schedule
Food waste will be collected weekly on your usual bin collection day.
Equipment provided
- Indoor kitchen caddy: 5 litres, grey with lid, for food waste storage indoors.
- Outdoor caddy: 23 litres, black with orange lid, for kerbside collections.
- Liners: Initial supply included to keep caddies clean and facilitate emptying.
Using and maintaining your caddies
- Line the indoor caddy with compostable liners, newspaper, or an old plastic bag.
- Empty the indoor caddy regularly into the outdoor caddy.
- Wash caddies when necessary; the indoor caddy is dishwasher safe up to 60°C.
Support for households
- Assisted bin collection service includes food waste caddy collection for eligible residents.
- If space is limited, use the compact kitchen caddy or your own container indoors and transfer waste to the outdoor caddy.
Lost or damaged equipment
Contact your district council for replacement caddies.
Accepted and non-accepted materials
What can go in your food waste caddy
- Raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones and shells
- Fruit and vegetables, including peelings
- Dairy products (cheese, yoghurt)
- Bread, cakes, and pastries
- Rice, pasta, and beans
- Plate scrapings and leftovers
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Loose pet food (dry or tinned)
- Small amounts of sauces, gravy, and custard
- Oil and fats
Items not to include
- Packaging materials
- Liquids
- Non-food items such as plastics, metals, glass
Contamination
Caddies containing incorrect materials will not be collected.
Reducing food waste
In 2026, all Lincolnshire residents will benefit from a weekly food waste collection service. In preparation, now is the perfect time to start thinking about the food waste we produce at home — and how we can reduce it before it even reaches the bin.
There are plenty of simple, effective ways to cut down on food waste. That’s why, in partnership with Love Food Hate Waste, we’ve pulled together a collection of ideas, tips, and practical advice to help you get started — a little food for thought!
By taking action now, you can get ahead of the curve and:
- Save money
- Reduce your environmental impact
- Make sure the energy used to produce, transport, and store food doesn't go to waste
Best before, use by, expiry – what do they really mean?
Knowing the difference between food date labels helps you stay safe and cut down on food waste.
Visit the Food Standards Agency website guide on date labelling.
Bread - use your loaf
Bread is among the most commonly wasted foods, with millions of slices discarded daily in the UK.
Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website to learn how to make the most of your bread.
Check your fridge temperature
Setting your fridge to the right temperature helps keep your food fresh for a longer time.
Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website to learn about fridge temperatures.
Food portion calculator: your guide to perfect portion sizes
Not sure how much to cook? The Love Food Hate Waste website features a handy portion calculator to help you get it right — from pasta to potatoes — so nothing goes to waste.
Use the Love Food Hate Waste website portion calculator.
Fruit and vegetables – keep them fresher for longer
Fresh produce is often wasted simply because it goes off before we get around to eating it. Knowing how to store fruits and vegetables properly can make a big difference.
- Keep bananas, apples, and tomatoes out of the fridge – they last longer at room temperature.
- Store leafy greens in a container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
- Carrots, broccoli, and celery stay crisp longer when kept in airtight containers in the fridge.
- Use up ripe fruit in smoothies, cakes, or frozen for later.
For more fruit and veg storage tips, visit the Love Food Hate Waste A to Z of food storage.
Leftover inspiration
Got extra ingredients and not sure how to use them? Find creative recipe ideas to turn your leftovers into delicious meals.
View recipe ideas on the Love Food Hate Waste website.
Make the most of every bite
Discover tips and advice to help you get the most out of your food, reduce waste, and do your part for the planet. Love Food Hate Waste / Preventing food waste
Plan easy, flexible meals The Love Food Hate Waste website offers helpful tips for meal planning that can save you time, cut costs, and reduce food waste.
Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website for meal planning advice.
Plan easy, flexible meals
The Love Food Hate Waste website offers helpful tips for meal planning that can save you time, cut costs, and reduce food waste.
Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website for meal planning advice.
The A to Z of food storage
From bananas and broccoli to spinach and strawberries, the Love Food Hate Waste website offers tips on how to store a wide range of foods, including meat and poultry. You'll also find helpful advice on what can be frozen and the best ways to defrost it.
Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website to learn about food storage, freezing and defrosting.
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.