Get ready to recycle your food waste, Southampton!

The introduction of food waste collections is a Government mandate aimed at improving waste management across the country. It will help us reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create valuable compost.

The new food waste collection service will be introduced to all Southampton households early in 2026. We will announce the specific start date and rollout plan as soon as it is confirmed.

We will provide a detailed list of accepted food waste closer to the launch of the service. However, it typically includes things like:

• Fruit and vegetable peelings
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Meat and fish bones
• Dairy products
• Bread and pastries
• Leftovers

Yes, all households will be provided with an indoor food caddy, as well as an outdoor bin. We will provide information about the size and type of bin you will receive in due course. People living in flats will receive an indoor caddy and likely have a communal outdoor bin.

A lot of people find that keeping it under the sink, next to the kitchen bin, or on the work top is practical. Remember you can use your own container if you prefer something more stylish or if it better fits in your kitchen.

We will collect food waste on a weekly basis. We are currently finalising the collection schedule. We will ensure that collections are frequent enough to maintain hygiene and prevent odour issues.

Not if you empty your kitchen caddy regularly into the outside food waste bin and tie up the liners. Your outdoor bin has a sealable and lockable lid which will stop smells getting out.

You do not need to do anything differently with your waste for now. We will provide clear guidance and instructions well in advance of the service launch. We will explain how to use your new food waste bin and when your collection day is.

You can look at websites like WRAP. The most up-to-date information will be available on this webpage. Please check back regularly for announcements and further details. You can also follow us on our social media channels, including Facebook.

Food waste that is sent to landfill has a big impact on the environment as it rots and releases methane. Methane is a harmful greenhouse gas and is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. As food waste is 70% water, sending food waste for incineration requires more energy to burn so recycling it is a much more efficient way of disposing of it.

More than 25% of the waste in an average waste bin is food. When recycled, food waste can be turned into something useful. Your food waste is taken to an anaerobic digestion or in-vessel composting facility. There it is used to generate natural forms of energy, such as biogas. Biogas is an excellent alternative to fossil fuels. It is also a fertiliser and soil conditioner which can be used in farming.

This involves mixing food waste with garden waste and shredding it. It is then composted in an enclosed system for 2-4 weeks at temperatures of up to 70 Celsius. This speeds up the composting process and ensures any harmful microbes are killed off. The material is then left outside to mature for a further 1-3 months with regular turning and quality checks. Finally it can be used as soil conditioner.

This process uses small creatures called microorganisms. They break down food waste in the absence of oxygen. This happens inside an enclosed system. As food breaks down it gives off methane. This is collected and converted into biogas. The biogas is used to generate electricity, heat or transport fuels. It also creates a nutrient-rich digestate. This can be used as a fertiliser for agriculture and in land regeneration.

Remember there is no amount too small. The best thing we can do with our food is enjoy it. We can recycle unavoidable waste like banana skins, tea bags, and bones.

It is important to reduce the amount of food waste going to landfill or other disposal sites. Food waste that is sent to landfill rots and releases methane. Methane is a harmful greenhouse gas.