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Food waste

Find out what goes in your food bin and how to reduce food waste.

We collect recycled food waste every week for free from most flats and street-level properties.

We're still getting this service up and running for some flats. Look out for your food waste caddy and communal recycling food waste bins or request them. 

We give you a 5-litre food waste caddy for your kitchen. You can use your own, if you prefer. 

You do not have to line it, but you can buy your own compostable liners or use newspaper.

Put your unwanted or leftover food into your caddy. Then empty it into your outside food waste bin for collection.

Find out more about recycling your food waste, including what to put in your caddy, in the sections on this page.

Simpler Recycling and food waste

As part of the UK Government's 'Simpler Recycling' reforms, certain premises, including businesses and schools, are now required to separate food waste from other wastes so that it can be collected separately and recycled.

Businesses' and schools' food waste should no longer be disposed of within general waste. The statutory deadline for meeting this requirement is 31 March 2025.

We will provide your school or business with a free weekly food waste service and resources to help you recycle your food waste. To order your new containers and set up the service contact us by email: foodwaste@southwark.gov.uk

Why recycle your food waste

Almost half the rubbish we throw away in Southwark is food. Food waste produces greenhouse gas emissions which harm the environment. 

Recycling it:

  • reduces waste and helps tackle climate change

  • saves the council money as it's cheaper to process than general household waste

  •  means we can turn it into renewable energy and fertiliser for farmland

The best thing we can do with our food is eat it. But they'll always be waste, like banana skins, teabags and plate scrapings. These can all be recycled. 

No amount is too small and you'll be doing your bit for the planet.

Separating your waste and the law

You must separate your recycled food waste from your other recycling. This is to:

  • comply with changing law on simpler recycling
  • tackle the climate emergency

Garden waste is composted and cannot include food waste.

Any garden waste that is contaminated with food waste will not be collected until the food waste is removed.

What to put in your caddy

You can put the following cooked or uncooked food in your caddy:

  • eggs and dairy products
  • fruit and vegetables
  • teabags and coffee grounds
  • meat, fish and bones
  • bread, pasta and rice
  • plate scrapings

Do not put in your caddy

Do not put anything into the container that is not food, including: 

  • liquids and oils
  • plastic bags 
  • packaging
  • garden waste

How to reduce food waste

You can reduce your food waste by:

  • making sure your fridge temperature is below 5 degrees centigrade to keep your food fresh
  • checking your cupboards and buy only what you need, to avoid throwing away out of date and unused food
  • planning your meals in advance as much as possible
  • cooking additional meals using any leftovers that are fresh enough to eat
  • using your freezer to store meals for the future

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) shows lots of ways you can reduce your food waste and save money. It also has recipe ideas for leftovers.