About the service
Why are we introducing new weekly food waste recycling collections?
New legislation means that all Councils must collect food waste separately. Nationally 26% of the waste in the average household bin is food waste and organic material.
In Newham this is as high as 40% which creates a negative environmental impact. This provides us with a great opportunity to start recycling our food waste.
Your food waste will be sent to a local Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant where it will generate Biogas, a renewable energy source fed directly to the National Grid and nutrient-rich bio-fertiliser to be used on farmland to grow more food.
Equipment you will receive:
If you live in a street-level property:
In November 2025 we introduced the service to 10% of the borough. Food waste recycling services for remaining street-level properties will start in Autumn 2026
- 5-litre grey indoor kitchen caddy
- One introductory roll of liners
- 23-litre grey outdoor lockable bin
Food Waste Information leaflet for Street Level Properties (PDF)
*Your collection day may vary*
If you live in a flat:
In November 2025 we introduced the service to10% of the borough. If you have not received your caddy, your service has not started yet. Food waste recycling services for remaining flats and flats above shops will start in Spring 2027.
As part of your service, you will receive the following equipment:
- 5-litre grey indoor kitchen caddy
- One introductory roll of liners
- Access to a large external shared food waste recycling bin - either grey bin or a housing unit
Food Waste Information leaflet for Flats (PDF)
How to use the kitchen caddy:
Firstly, line your kitchen caddy with your preferred liner before filling it with your food waste. If you would rather use your own indoor container that’s fine, use works best for you. When full, tie your liner and empty your kitchen caddy into your outside food waste recycling bin.
What can I put in my kitchen caddy?
You can place any uneaten or unwanted food inside the kitchen caddy such as:
- Bread and cakes
- Dairy products (such as cheese and yoghurt)
- Eggs
- Pasta and rice
- Meat and fish (cooked/uncooked, including bones)
- Out-of-date food
- Eggshells*
- Fruit and vegetable peelings*
- Tea bags and coffee granules*
*Home Composting - You can also recycle these items at home by composting. To find out more about our subsidised and Community Composting scheme, visit Get composting – Newham Council.
What can’t I put in my kitchen caddy?
- Any food or drink packaging
- Flowers
- Any liquids
Incorrect items placed in the outdoor food waste recycling bin, or the external grey shared food waste recycling bin, may result in the bin not being emptied on the scheduled bin collection day. You will need to remove the incorrect items and re-present the bin for collection next week.
Collection Information: when will the outdoor food waste bin be collected?
For street-level properties:
We will collect your food waste every week.
Present your outside food waste recycling bin with the handle upright in the locked position. The bin should be placed at the edge of your property, close to your gate or end of your drive. Please don’t place bins on the pavement.
Please view our guide on presenting bins:
For communal properties:
The shared food waste bin will be collected every week.
