As part of a national government mandate under new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation (Environment Act 2021), from 2026 all Lincolnshire households will be required to separate their food waste from their residual waste. 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.
Important things you should know about food waste
Why we are starting separate food waste collections
It’s not just in Lincolnshire, from March 2026, all councils in England must collect food waste separately every week as part of the Government’s plan for net zero by 2050.
In Lincolnshire, food waste currently goes in the general waste stream and is used to create energy, but this also produces greenhouse gases. Around a quarter of what we throw away is food.
By cutting down on edible food waste you can save money. Any food waste you can’t avoid will be collected separately and recycled at an anaerobic digestion plant, where it’s turned into renewable energy and fertiliser.
When the service is starting
Household food waste collections will be introduced in Lincolnshire from 2026. Dates for each area will be shared by your local council.
Getting your caddies
You will receive:
- a small five litre grey indoor countertop caddy
- a black 23 litre outdoor caddy with an orange lid to present at the kerbside each week
- an initial supply of caddy liners (liners will make the process easier and keep your caddies clean)
- information leaflet
Your outdoor caddy will be emptied every week
Your local council will confirm your collection dates when your caddies are delivered to you.
What to put in your caddy
All food intended for human or household pet consumption, such as;
- meat raw and cooked, including any bones
- fish and shellfish – raw and cooked, including bones and shells
- fruit – raw and cooked
- salad and vegetables - both raw and cooked, including peelings
- dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese
- eggs and eggshells
- bread, cakes and pastries
- rice, pasta and beans
- any meal leftovers
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- tinned and dry pet food
- small amounts of gravy, sauces or custard left on food
Fats and oils in your food waste caddy
Yes — but only in certain forms. Liquids like milk, drinks or cooking water cannot go in your caddy. Small amounts of used cooking oil are fine if soaked up by other food, such as bread, and cooled, solid fats from roasting or frying can also go in. Please don’t pour liquids straight into the caddy.
Tea bags
Yes, any tea bag can go in the food waste caddy. All packaging and non-organic material, including plastic in tea bags, is removed by sifting equipment before the digestion process and sent for energy recovery.
What happens to your food waste
Your food waste is collected by council crews and taken to a local plant. There, liners are split and removed before the food is recycled. The food waste is turned into biogas, which generates energy, and fertiliser to support farming — helping cut our reliance on fossil fuels.
Keeping smells to a minimum
It won’t smell any more than it does now! You just need to empty your indoor caddy regularly as you would with your kitchen bin now. If anything, odours will be reduced as your outdoor caddy is collected weekly, rather than in most cases where your general waste bin currently only gets collected fortnightly.
The benefit to me is
Separating your food waste helps you notice how much is being thrown away, so you can cut back and save money. Using a kitchen caddy keeps food scraps out of your sink and general waste, helping avoid mess and blockages. Food waste is collected more often than general waste, so there will be fewer smells and flies. Recycling food waste turns it into green energy and fertiliser to support local farms.
I currently have an assisted collection from my property
If you already have an assisted collection for your other bins, this will be the same for your outdoor food caddy.
Paying for the service and affecting council tax
There is no charge or subscription, and the introduction of food waste collections will not affect how much you pay for Council Tax.
Requesting a second caddy
Only one of each caddy type per household will be provided free of charge.
Keeping food waste caddies clean
You’ll get a starter pack of liners with your caddy to help keep it clean. You can also use old bread bags, newspaper or kitchen roll for extra protection. Empty your indoor caddy into the outdoor one regularly, and wash both with hot soapy water, white vinegar or disinfectant. The small caddy can also go in the dishwasher (up to 60°C).
Liners – how many you get, what they are, and what to do when they run out
You’ll receive an initial roll of 52 liners with your indoor caddy to help you get started. These are just for convenience — you don’t need to make them last a whole year. Once they run out, you can buy more from most supermarkets or food stores.
You don’t have to use the supplied liners. Old bread bags, plastic shopping bags, newspaper or kitchen roll all work just as well. The anaerobic digestion facility removes all liners and packaging at the start of the process, so you can use whatever works best for you.
We are not providing compostable liners. The anaerobic digestion facility removes all liners all at the front end of the process whatever they are made of as any packaging does not breakdown at the same rate as the food itself.
Why caddies are lined but packaging must be removed
Please take packaging off your food waste where you can and dispose it in the right bin at home. The only exception is caddy liners, which help keep your caddy clean — these are removed at the start of the recycling process.
On the odd occasion that you can’t remove the packaging, still put the food in your caddy. It will be taken out at the anaerobic digestion plant but removing it at home makes the process quicker and more efficient.
Putting the wrong items in the food caddy
If your food caddy contains the wrong things, crews will not be able to collect it. If this is the case, they will leave a hanger on your caddy to explain the problem and what you need to do.
Making space for a food caddy in your kitchen
The indoor food caddy is small five litres and designed to sit in your kitchen. If you don’t want to use it or don’t have space, you can use your own container or put food waste in a liner and then straight into the larger outdoor caddy and present that for weekly collection.
Options if you have limited space to store your caddy
We know space can be limited, especially in flats or shared homes. Councils are looking at flexible options like shared bins or smaller caddies where needed.
Placing extra waste beside your caddy
All food waste must be contained in the outdoor caddy and not left at the side of it.
If your outdoor caddy goes missing
You can request a replacement from your local council.
Preventing animals from getting into your caddy
When you put your kerbside caddy out for collection ensure the lid is closed and the handle is positioned in the forward position to lock the lid.
Taking part in the service
You’ll get everything you need to take part. It may take a little getting used to, but recycling food waste is important — instead of being incinerated, it can be turned into something useful. By recycling properly, we can reduce our impact on the environment and turn more of Lincolnshire’s food waste into green energy and fertiliser for local farms.
If you don’t produce any food waste
Remember, there is no amount too small. For example, banana skins, tea bags and plate scrapings can all be put in your food waste caddy.
Using a home composter instead of the food waste service
That’s great — home composting is a brilliant way to recycle nutrients and make soil improver for your garden. For any food waste you can’t compost, like cooked food, you can use the kerbside food waste collection.
General waste collections and food waste inside them
Your local council will still empty your general waste but we encourage you to separate your food waste wherever possible as everything thrown away has an impact on the environment.
Returning an unwanted caddy
Your local council will be delivering caddies to all properties in line with the requirements of the Environment Act 2021 and will not be collecting them back in.
Why use the food waste system instead of the refuse bin or sacks
Using your food waste caddies means less rubbish goes to incineration, which is better for the environment and can save money. The average family throws away £700 of food a year, but once people see what’s being wasted, shopping habits often change and bills go down.
Separately collected food waste is recycled into green energy and fertiliser — turning leftovers into something useful. While food could still go in your general waste bin, recycling it is the greener choice and helps us all do our bit.
Taking food waste to a recycling centre (tip)
You can still take food waste to your local recycling centre alongside other non-recyclable waste, but we encourage you to use the new collection service where it’s available, as this is designed to recycle food into energy and fertiliser. There will not be separate food waste container at the HWRCs.
Christmas collections and changes to collection days
As with all other waste collections, food waste collections may change slightly over Christmas because of bank holidays. Your council will let you know any new collection days in advance.
As more food waste is created at this time of year, please use your caddy to help reduce general waste and make sure more leftovers are recycled.
The economic side of food waste recycling
Food waste will be treated by a private anaerobic digestion company chosen through a competitive process. The contractor covers costs through selling the energy produced as electricity or biomethane. The fertiliser by-product usually has a small cost. Overall, this system is financially sustainable and provides savings compared to current Energy from Waste treatment.
The anaerobic digestion process explained
The anaerobic digester is run by a private company and works a bit like a human stomach. Food waste is first cleaned, shredded and mixed into a liquid. It’s heated to remove any harmful bugs or seeds, then placed in a sealed tank without oxygen.
Over several weeks, natural bacteria break it down and create biogas. This gas is used to generate electricity or upgraded to biomethane for the national grid. What’s left is a nutrient-rich fertiliser called digestate, which is stored and later spread on farmland to replace artificial fertilisers.
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 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.
When are the collections starting?
- City of Lincoln – week starting Monday 30 March 2026
- North Kesteven District Council - week starting Monday 30 March 2026
- West Lindsey District Council - week starting Monday 30 March 2026
- South Kesteven District Council - week starting Monday 13 April 2026
- Boston Borough Council – Autumn 2026
- East Lindsey District Council – Autumn 2026
- South Holland District Council – From Autumn 2026
For more local information please visit your local council’s websites and follow their social media channels for regular updates.
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.