How to use the food waste scheme

Each household is provided with two bins. Both bins are clearly labelled for food waste.

The small caddie is to be used in the kitchen.

It can conveniently store and transfer food waste from the home into the larger storage bin.

In your home, separate all of your food waste from any other waste such as plastics and packaging, and put the food waste into the small kitchen caddie. The caddie has a wide top so food can be scraped easily from your plate into the bin.

Food waste from the kitchen caddy should be emptied into the larger storage bin for collection. This can be empted when it is full or as often as you like, or you can wrap food in newspaper (without tape/string) and place it directly into the larger storage bin.

You don't have to use the kichen caddie provided by us. You can store the material in whatever you want in the kitchen as long as when you transfer the material to the large storage bin for collection there is no contamination (i.e. plastic bags, glass).

The larger storage bin

This should be kept outside and put out on your collection day. It has a lockable lid for protection against pests. The bin is locked when the handle is standing up in the acrrying position. When the handle is down you can open the lid.

Always put food waste out for collection in this storage bin, because this has a securable lid to protect it from animals.

Keeping your bin clean and reducing smell

• Try not to put too much fluid in with the food.
• Keep the bin out of direct sunlight until collection day.
• Try using liners, they can make the storage and transfer of waste food tidier and more convenient. You can choose between two kinds of liner, as follows:

1. Special compostable sacks

Liners for the large storage bin can be purchased directly from all borough libraries, from the Civic Centre in Twickenham, or ordering online or calling 08456 122 660.

These liners are made of cornstarch (GM free). They resemble a plastic bag but will compost completely within 30 days.

Compostable liners are available from other sources, although Council ones should be the cheapest. When purchasing liners from other sources ensure they are marked with one of the logos which certify that products meet the applicable EU composting standards.

Do not use plastic bags to line your bin, as they are not compostable.

2. Newspaper as a degradable liner

Newspaper makes a great free compostable liner or wrapper. Either line your bin or caddy with one sheet of newspaper, or wrap food in a sheet of newspaper (like you do with fish and chips) and place it in your storage bin. This helps to keep the bin cleaner, and the newspaper will be composted with the food waste.