Frequently Asked Questions about
Food Waste (Monday Collections from August 2008 only)
The information on this page only applies to new collections from August 2008. This means they will only be relevant to you if your NEW collection day is a Monday, because other days haven't begun the new system yet.
Why will the Council be collecting food waste separately?
Will the compost be sold to the public?
How will the food waste be collected?
What will happen to the food waste?
I don't have time to recycle – why should I use this service?
What food waste will be collected?
What should I not put in the food waste collection?
Will my kitchen waste get very dirty and smelly?
Where would I place my container on a weekly basis to ensure it got collected?
What would happen if my container or wheeled bin are not emptied?
Why can't we home compost all food waste?
What would I do if the food waste container is not big enough to take all my food waste?
I don’t think I would have room for the food waste container.
How often would I put the food waste container out for collection?
What about smells, bugs, germs, vermin and flies?
Would I be able to put food waste in with my normal domestic waste?
Should I stop composting at home?
I wouldn't need to use this scheme as I compost at home already
Could I get a second food waste container?
Where should I keep my container?
Should I use liners for the container?
Could I use compostable plastic bags as liners?
Could I wrap food waste in foil or in plastic bags?
Would the food waste container smell and attract maggots and flies?
Would any assistance be available if I'm unable to put my food waste bin out myself?
Could I put bedding and waste from animals in the new food waste collection?
Why will the Council be collecting food waste separately?
We are rapidly running out of landfill space in Devon so we need to recycle and compost more of the waste that we produce. Nearly a quarter of household waste in East Devon by weight is cooked and uncooked food waste which generates the harmful greenhouse gas, methane, if disposed of at landfill. Under the new service, food waste from East Devon will be taken to a facility called an anaerobic digester where it will be turned into compost.
Will the compost be sold to the public?
We're unlikely to sell the compost as it is unlikely to comply with the now accepted standard for compost.
How will the food waste be collected?
We'll collect the food waste weekly on your normal collection day. Every household will be issued with a 7 litre food waste caddy and a 25 litre kerbside food waste bin. You will need to put the larger waste bin out at kerbside with the lid locked by 7am on collection day.
What will happen to the food waste?
The waste will be taken to a fully licenced anaerobic digestion facility. All types of food waste are accepted and it is compliant with the Animal By-Product Regulations. These regulations are enforced by the Animal Health Division of the Government who ensure there are proper safeguards taken. The waste will be placed in an enclosed vessel where it then produces methane gas which is used to produce electricity. The whole facility is designed to be safe and complies with strict regulations. This has been tried and tested successfully in various parts of the country.
I don't have time to recycle – why should I use this service?
By taking part in the scheme you will be directly helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by food waste at landfill sites.Legislation requires councils to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill. Severe financial penalties incurr of £150 per tonne so you will be helping to keep Council Tax bills down by reducing waste going to landfill. Food waste makes up nearly a quarter of all household waste by weight and can be turned into useful compost. We have designed this service so it is easy to use if you follow our advice. All you will need to do is use the food waste container for compostable waste instead of your usual rubbish bin and put it out weekly on your normal collection day. We are all responsible for generating waste and must learn to deal with it in a responsible way.
What food waste will be collected?
- Meat and fish – raw and cooked including bones
- Dairy products including eggs, egg shells, butter and cheese
- Raw and cooked vegetables and fruit
- Bread, cakes and pastries
- Rice, pasta and beans
- Uneaten food from your plates and dishes
- Tea and coffee grounds
You will be able to line your food waste container with newspaper or approved compostable liners which are made of corn starch. Alternatively you can simply rinse out the container after each collection.
What should I not put in the food waste collection?
- Plastic bags and packaging of any sort
- Liquids
- Any oil and fat (including solid fats such as lard)
- Animal faeces
- Cardboard
- Nappies
- Pet litter
- Animal bedding
Will my kitchen waste bin get very dirty and smelly when I empty food waste into it?
It shouldn't, provided that basic housekeeping rules are followed. Food waste can be put inside approved liners or wrapped in newspaper. The lids of your wheeled bin and food waste container should always be kept closed. If either bin becomes dirty, we advise that you swill it out with disinfectant or bicarbonate of soda after it has been emptied. Rinse containers where appropriate and, when your bin is empty, newspaper could be placed in the base to soak up excess liquids.
Where would I place my container on a weekly basis to ensure it got collected?
We'd advise that you put your food waste container where you usually place your recyclables at the kerbside. The handle must be in the locked position and the container visible from the roadside. You need to make sure the position does not endanger other pavement or highway users. As with other waste containers, it should be left out by 7:00am on the day of collection, but no earlier than the previous evening.
What would happen if my food waste container, recycling box or waste wheeled bin is not emptied?
As long as you follow our advice about what can and cannot be placed in each receptacle they should be emptied. Any missed collection should be reported to the Council on 01395 517528. Missed collections should be emptied within 24 hours.
What about cat and dog waste?
This is not permissible in the new food waste container. You could either flush this down your toilet or double bag it and place it in with your normal household waste.
Why can't we home compost all food waste?
Food waste such as fruit / vegetable peelings, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds can still be placed in home compost bins. Anything that has been cooked or that contains products derived from an animal should not be placed in home compost bins because it will smell and can attract vermin.
What would I do if the food waste container is not big enough to take all my food waste?
If this is a regular issue, you can contact the Council and request an additional container.
I don’t think I will have room for the food waste container.
The kitchen caddy is only 7 litres. It is designed to be kept on a kitchen work surface or under the sink. It has a lockable lid and so could also be kept outside.
How often would I put the food waste container out for collection?
Every week – at kerbside by 7am on your normal collection day.
What about smells, bugs, germs, vermin and flies?
The food waste container will have a locking handle to keep the lid firmly in place. This feature will prevent smells escaping and will avoiding attracting unwanted attention from animals. The lid of the container should be locked shut for collection.
The lockable containers will be collected weekly and we believe that this will minimise the chance of problems with smells, vermin and flies.
Would I be able to put food waste in with my normal domestic waste?
We encourage all residents to participate fully in the proposed service. There will be a significant reduction of the amount of biodegradable waste going to Devon’s landfill sites. Local authorities face financial penalties if they do not meet targets to reduce the quantity of material sent to landfill, where it generates the potent greenhouse gas methane.
Should I stop composting at home?
No, don't stop! Home composting is still the best way to deal with garden waste as well as uncooked food waste, such as fruit and vegetables. Cooked food and meat should not be put into normal home composting bins as it encourages unwanted vermin. However, specialist units (Green Johanna, Green Cone) are available that allow you to compost these products at home. See www.recyclenow.com/home_composting for details.
I wouldn't need to use this scheme as I compost at home already.
We would encourage you to continue composting at home. However, we are collecting all meat, fish, bones, cooked food and dairy products using the food waste container. These are items you should not put in with your compost at home.
Could I get a second food waste container?
If you found that you generated more food waste we can provide you with an additional food waste container. But we think it is unlikely that you will need more than one.
Where should I keep my container?
That would be entirely up to you. You could safely keep it outside if you don't have enough room in your kitchen. The lid seals using the handles locking system which will prevent foxes etc getting inside. If you stored the caddy outside, we suggest you empty it on a daily basis into your kerbside food waste container.
Should I use liners for the container?
Using approved compostable liners might make it easier for you to keep your container clean. A network of stores will be set up that will sell approved liners. Alternatively, you could use newspaper, which is biodegradable, or simply rinse it out after emptying it. The containers will be dishwasher proof.
Could I use biodegradable plastic bags as liners?
No, you couldn’t use biodegradable or normal plastic bags as liners. Only approved compostable liners, made from corn starch or paper should be used to line your food waste container. Our collectors would not be able to tell if your bag is fully biodegradable to the necessary standard unless it is one of the approved liners.
Could I wrap food waste in foil or in plastic bags?
No, please do not put any type of packaging such as plastic, foil, cling film or cardboard in the container. This type of material would contaminate the material.
Would the food waste container smell and attract maggots and flies?
We recommend that you keep the container closed and in the locked position. Whether you store it indoors or outdoors, you should try to put it in a cool area out of direct sunlight. Flies only lay eggs on food if it is left out unprotected. Keeping the lid of the container closed would prevent this from happening. Because the food waste container has a lockable lid you could leave it outside without risk of it being broken into by vermin such as foxes or rats.
Wrapping food waste in paper prior to putting it in your container will help soak up any liquids. Regularly cleaning the container will also help to prevent smells.
Would any assistance be available if I'm unable to put my food waste bin out myself?
Yes. The Council will provide assisted collections from the propeties of the householders. This would be based on a proven need for those who cannot manage their waste through ill health, permanent disability or infirmity.
A form will be sent to you to complete which you will need to send back to the council. We cannot enter your property – therefore your containers must be easily accessible and outside. Anyone who has already been approved for assisted collections will not need to reapply.
Contact 01395 517528 for more information.
Could I put bedding and waste from animals in the new food waste collection?
No. Bedding and waste from all animals including vegitarian animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs must be included in the weekly waste collection service.
