Your food waste questions answered 

Hungry for answers to your food waste questions?

See our frequently asked questions list below. If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk or call 01329 236100.

• Why are you introducing food waste collections?
• Do I have to use the food waste bins supplied?
• What will happen to my food waste when it's collected?
• What if I already compost my food waste?
• Why do I need to use liners?
• Will my food waste be collected if it's not wrapped?
• Can I opt out of the service?
• I think I'm going to fill my outdoor food waste bin
• Can the kitchen caddy go in the dishwasher?
• What should I do with items that can't go in my caddy?

Why are you introducing food waste collections?

Required under the Environment Act 2021, 'Simpler Recycling' aims to increase household recycling rates by making it possible for people across the country to recycle the same materials without needing to check what their council will accept.
Further details can be found in the Simpler Recycling Government response .
As a result, the Council can confirm that:

• Fortnightly household waste collections will continue as always. 
• Free weekly food waste collections for all Fareham residents will be introduced from 30 March 2026. Fareham residents will be provided with an outdoor food waste bin for kerbside collection, as well as a kitchen caddy to collect food waste in the home.
• There will be no change to materials collected for recycling in residents' blue-lidded recycling bins until the new Materials Recycling Facility opens in Eastleigh in 2028. Here is Fareham Borough Council's 'roadmap to compliance', which outlines the steps that we have taken and will be taking in the lead up to the new MRF being completed (2 MB).
• Additional glass collection bins will be provided around the Borough for residents to take their glass waste.
• The Council will continue to offer the Clip and Collect garden waste subscription and Bulky Waste collection services as usual.
   

Do I have to use the food waste bins supplied?

We will be supplying a kitchen caddy to every household to encourage residents to start collecting food waste. However, if you'd prefer to use a kitchen caddy of your own choosing you are free to do so. The food waste collected in your kitchen caddy must be wrapped and transferred into the outdoor food waste bin we provide, or the communal bin at your residence.

What will happen to my food waste when it's collected?

Once collected, your food waste goes to a special facility where it's checked, cleaned and goes through anaerobic digestion. This is a natural process where micro-organisms break it down to create eco-friendly energy to help heat our homes. It also is used to create fertiliser for UK farms to help crops grow.

What if I already compost my food waste?

That's great! Composting is an easy way to reduce the amount of waste in your bin. As well as taking a lot of waste, such as peelings, uncooked vegetables, tea bags, straw and pet bedding, a composter will make useful compost for your garden. You can find out more about composting here. However, you cannot put all your food waste into your compost bin, such as bones, meat products, cooked vegetables etc, so we recommend you use your food waste collection service for these items. Refer to the list above to find out what you can and cannot include in your food waste bin.

Why do I need to use liners?

Food waste must be contained in liners to keep your containers clean, prevent mould and protect our collection staff. It also avoids food waste getting stuck in your kitchen caddy or your outdoor food waste bin. Furthermore, its really important that your food waste is wrapped when it arrives at the processing facility for anaerobic digestion. Removing the bags is all part of the process! Any plastic bag will do – used carrier bags, bread bags or small bin liners.

Will my food waste be collected if it's not wrapped?

No, your outdoor food waste bin will not be emptied if your food waste is not wrapped. While biodegradable liners are encouraged, you can use anything to wrap your food waste - any form of plastic bag, liner, paper, bread bag – the list goes on. Any non-compostable liner will be removed on arrival at the food recycling facility.

Can I opt out of the service?

Weekly food waste collections are a statutory government service and we will be issuing all households with an indoor kitchen caddy and an outdoor food waste bin. A separate food waste bin will be provided for those who have communal bins. Separating your food waste from your rubbish will reduce the amount you are currently putting in your waste bin and increase the amount you recycle which is vital for reducing carbon emissions. Food waste recycling also creates power for the Borough and helps UK farms by producing fertiliser.

I think I'm going to fill my outdoor food waste bin

We will provide one kitchen caddy and one outdoor food waste bin to each property. Now is a great time to start thinking about the amount of food waste you throw away and whether this could be avoided to help save you money and cut your carbon footprint. The average family chucks away £83 of edible food waste each month! Visit the Love Food Hate Waste website for recipes and tips to reduce your food waste. 

Can the kitchen caddy go in the dishwasher?

Yes, your kitchen caddy is made from recycled plastic and can go in your dishwasher.

What should I do with items that can't go in my caddy?

• Liquids - pour liquids like hot and cold drinks, gravy, cream and milk down the sink.
• Oils and fats - wait for them to cool down and put them in a container into your residual waste bin.
• Packaging – if the packaging is dirty it needs to go in your residual waste bin as normal. If it is clean and is a plastic bottle, tin, can or cardboard, please put it in your green recycling bin.
• Nappies, pet poo and pet litter should go in your residual waste bin.
• Garden waste and cut flowers – please compost these at home, sign up to our Clip and Collect garden waste collection service or take to the household waste recycling centre.