Recycling Food Waste

Can I recycle food waste?

Yes. Some local authorities collect kitchen waste or provide containers at recycling centres.

How should I recycle food waste?

• If your local authority has given you a 'kitchen caddy' to collect food waste, you can usually recycle any cooked or raw food scraps.
• Make sure you remove all packaging from your food waste, especially plastic.

What else can I do with it?

Compost it!

You can add the following items of food waste to your compost:

• Fruit and vegetable peelings, seeds and cores
• Tea bags
• Coffee grounds and filter papers
• Paper towels or tissues (not if they have touched meat)
• Egg shells

You cannot compost: fish, meat or dairy products.

Re-use your food waste

• Egg shells: Decorate your egg shells whole, or make an egg shell mosaic
• Egg shells: Try making a wall of crushed egg shells around your plants to deter slugs, snails and caterpillars.
• Bird food: throw leftover seeds, nuts and breadcrumbs in your garden or yard for the birds to feast on