Food waste

• Introducing food waste recycling collections
• What you will receive
• What you can recycle
• Frequently asked questions

Introducing food waste recycling collections

In Spring 2026, households in the Chichester District will start to receive weekly food waste recycling collections.

Recycling and general waste collections will continue as usual every two weeks.

A phased roll-out for households will begin in Spring 2026. Collections for communal properties who share bins will start later in the year. More information will be released nearer the time.

We will be using our free app to provide live updates during the service roll out, and to send personalised notifications on container delivery and service start dates. To keep up to date with the latest information on food waste collections, download the Chichester District Council mobile app.

What you will receive

During the phased service roll out next year, we will deliver to your property:

• A silver coloured caddy to keep in your kitchen - about the same size as a toaster.
• A grey coloured outdoor bin with an orange lid - about the same size as a pair of wellington boots.
• A one-off roll of compostable liners for your kitchen caddy to get you started.
• Instructions on how to use the service.

What you can recycle

You will be able to recycle the following in your food waste bin:

• meat (including bones)
• fish and shellfish
• cheese and yoghurt
• cooked or uncooked vegetables, including peelings
• inedible materials, for example fruit skins or egg shells
• bread, cakes and pastries
• rice, pasta and beans
• plate scrapings
• mouldy and out of date food
• pet food
• tea bags or coffee grounds
• solid fats

You will receive more information on what can and cannot be recycled when the service is rolled out.

Frequently asked questions

I compost, will I still need a food waste bin?

Yes. Composting is a great way to dispose of your food waste, however not all food waste can be composted. Please use your food waste bin for meat and fish bones, cooked food and dairy products.

Remember, no amount of food waste is too small to put out for collection. Your food waste caddy will always be emptied no matter how little it contains.

I do not waste a lot of food - should I still use the food waste collection service?

Yes. No matter how little food you waste it's really important that it is recycled. Your food waste caddy will always be emptied no matter how little it contains.

Can I opt out of food waste collection?

There isn't an option to opt out of the food waste collection service. From Spring 2026, we are legally bound to provide weekly food waste collections to all households within Chichester District as part of the Government's Simpler Recycling reforms.

The incoming food waste collections will form an integral part of your collection service, and we strongly encourage everyone to take part. Once collected, your food waste will be processed via anaerobic digestion, which is better for the environment. Your food waste will also be collected more frequently than general waste.

If you would rather not use the service however, your waste and recycling collections will continue as normal.

Will my food waste caddy smell?

Your food waste will be collected every week, so it shouldn't smell. Moving the contents of the caddy to the external bin regularly will also reduce the possibility of smells. In addition, if you want to wrap items like fish in newspaper, that can help prevent odours. Please do not use plastic bags or cling film to wrap your food waste. 

Keeping the lid of your food waste bin closed and locked will also help to contain any potential smells.

The kitchen caddies and external bins are also small enough to be easily cleaned with hot water and washing up liquid if needed. 

Will my food waste bin attract vermin and flies?

Your food waste will be collected weekly so there will be less time to store the waste than currently, where it is collected fortnightly in your black bin. We recommend emptying your kitchen caddy regularly into your outdoor food waste bin and keeping both lids locked when not in use. You only get maggots in your bin if flies have been able to lay their eggs on your food waste before it is thrown away.

You can avoid flies being attracted to your food waste and general waste by:  

• Keeping all bin and caddy lids firmly closed  
• Put all your food waste into your food waste bin that has a lockable lid - this will be collected every week  
• Wrap any potentially smelly food waste in newspaper or compostable liners before putting it into your lockable grey and orange food waste bin  
• Don't leave your food waste uncovered in your home (including pet food)  
• Double wrap pet waste and put it into your general waste bin.
• Rinse all food and other residues off all your recycling and allow them to dry before putting into your recycling wheelie bin  
• Leave your bins out of direct sunshine if you can   
• Wash your bins and caddy out regularly with hot water and washing up liquid or a strong smelling disinfectant. 

Why separating your food waste is important

In Chichester District, around a third of what is put in the average general waste bin is food waste.

When collected separately, food waste can be treated via anaerobic digestion. This is a much more efficient and environmentally friendly way of processing. Anaerobic digestion provides higher value end products in the form of biogas and fertiliser.  Householders will also start to see the amount of food waste they are throwing away and begin to change their behaviour.   Saving food from going to waste is not only good for the environment but can also save you money. On average this equates to around £20 per person, per month.

For tips on how to reduce your food waste visit Fight against food waste (opens new window).