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Food waste scheme

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Eastbourne food waste collections

Food waste coming soon to Eastbourne
Eastbourne residents can now recycle their food waste from home! For most residents, collections will take place weekly on the same day as your refuse and recycling collections (but at a different time of day).

Communal dwellings such as flats and HMOs will not be part of the initial rollout and further information will be released for these later in the summer.  

To keep updated on our waste and recycling services, sign-up for our email newsletter Keep Me Posted

Play our new food waste game! 

We've launched Food Waste Hero, our new arcade-style video game.

Players will take on the challenge of rescuing and managing surplus food under time pressure.

You can start with Normal Mode to learn the basics, then try Endless Mode to see how high you can get your score - keep an eye out for bonus items to help boost it even further!

It's a fun way to get into the food waste mindset and quickly learn what can or can't go into your new caddy.

We hope you enjoy it, and good luck with achieving a high score!

Play the Food Waste Hero Game

FAQs

What will be delivered and when? 

Deliveries of caddies to households will start from the week commencing 7 April 2026.

The equipment you will receive will be: 

  • A small caddy to go in your kitchen with a roll of compostable liners to get you started 
  • A separate bin to go outside next to your refuse bags or bins 
  • A roll of compostable caddy liners

  • A handy guide on how to use the service and when your collection days will be 

 

When will collections start for everyone? 

Collections will start from week commencing Monday 27 April 2026.

Your official first collection day will be on the leaflet that comes with your caddies, or can be checked at Environment First website

After the start date, we'll collect your food waste weekly alongside your refuse or recycling (at a different time of day).
 
Please leave your food waste bin, with the handle locked in the forward position, next to your bins by 7am on your bin collection day. 

Do I have to use the service?

We will be offering this service across the borough.

You don't have to use the service if you don't want to. You can use it some weeks and not others - however you prefer. 

From this year, government have asked local councils to make food waste collections available, but the service is not something you are required to use if you don't want to.

We're asking households to give it go, as most people find they have more food waste than they expect. Even households that aim to waste as little as possible can find that they have leftover items such as tea bags, coffee grounds, fruit and veg peelings. 

These containers are also collected weekly - meaning your food waste will be taken away more regularly than any other waste, helping to reduce smells. 

If you use the service and feel that it's not for you, we will be happy to come back and collect the containers from you. 

You can request a container removal through this page - Food waste rollout request

Is there a charge for the service? 

The service will be free to households across Eastbourne.

Will all households and flats be getting this service? 

Yes - all households will receive the service and will be provided with the equipment needed.  

Communal dwellings such as flats and HMOs will not be part of the initial rollout and further information will be released for these later in the summer.  
 

Will it be collected by separate vehicles? 

Yes, the food waste will be collected weekly on the same day as your refuse or recycling, but by separate electric collection vehicles, meaning it might be collected slightly earlier or later than your other waste - please check all your containers have been emptied before taking them back to your property. 

What if I don't have food waste or I compost at home? 

Households generally have more food waste than they expect. Even those that aim to waste as little as possible can find that they have leftover items such as tea bags, coffee grounds, fruit and veg peelings. 

We encourage people to compost at home if they are able to, but not everyone has the space to do this, and some items such as bones are hard to compost from home.  

What happens to your recycled food waste? 

After we collect your food waste, we will take it to the Woodlands In-Vessel Composting Facility in Whitesmith to be recycled into soil conditioner and fertiliser - which is then used by farmers and gardeners in the local area. 

You can find out more about how your food waste is recycled through this video: What Happens to Your Food Waste? 

How to use your food caddy

  • Line your caddy with a compostable liner and fill it with food waste. Please do not use plastic bags, even bio-degradable ones do not compost. 
    Food caddy liner seedling logo
    Look for the compostable caddy liner logo
  • When it is full, tie the liner and put it in your outside caddy. Please empty your indoor caddy regularly. 
  • Lock your outside bin by keeping the handle in the forward locked position. This will keep it secure from animals and birds. Please do not put loose food into the bin. 

  • Put your food waste bin (with the handle in the forward locked position) out for collection by 7am on your collection day. 

 

What can and can't go in your food waste bin?

The following materials can be recycled as food waste: 

  • meat and fish: raw or cooked - including bones 
  • fruit and vegetables: raw or cooked 
  • cheese and eggs, including shells 
  • bread, cakes and pastries 
  • rice, pasta and beans 
  • coffee grounds and tea bags
  • pet food (free of any packaging)

Please do not put any of the following materials in your food waste caddy: 

  • any packaging 
  • cardboard 
  • cornstarch liners not showing a compostable logo 
  • liquids, oil or fat 
  • medicine 
  • newspaper 
  • plastic bags, including biodegradable 
  • pet waste

To find out about specific products, check out our A-Z of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

What if I fill up more than one bin? 

The service will be collected weekly, so there should be enough space for most households. Side waste will not be collected.

 

What do I do if my caddy has been lost or damaged?

If your caddy has been lost or damaged, you can order a replacement using this form - Food waste rollout request

How do I keep foxes and other animals out of my food waste caddy? 

To secure your outdoor food waste caddy, put the handle all the way forward. This will 'lock' the caddy closed and prevent foxes and other animals getting to it. 
 

Where can I get caddy liners?

Using a compostable liner will keep your food waste tidy and contained making handling easy for both you and the collection crews. Compostable liners decompose along with your food waste. 

You must only use compostable liners which display the seedling logo and reference number EN13432. Even liners labelled as "bio-degradable" do not break down entirely and cannot be composted. 

The first roll of liners will be free to all households and will be delivered with your caddies.  

Liners can be purchased from: 

Later this year, we will also be making extra rolls of liners available from the following locations (please check opening times):

Please note: Only one roll will be available per household at a time. 

 

Will this cause an issue with smells?

Currently, food waste goes into your refuse bin which is collected every two weeks, and food waste is the main reason why bins tend to smell. 

This is why it's so important for residents to use their food waste collection service, this will be collected weekly. 

Tips to make it clean and easy

To keep your food caddy clean, regularly empty it into your outside food bin and use a compostable liner. 

You can put your food caddy into your dishwasher or give it a rinse after washing up. We empty your outside food bin weekly, and it has a lockable lid which stops smells getting out and any animals getting in. Keeping your outside caddy clean will also help prevent smells or mould developing. 

When should I put my bins out?

To find out your collection days or to download your collection calendar, visit Environment First website

We will send an updated collection calendar in advance of the changes. 

After we have emptied your bin, please ensure it is not on the path and store it within the boundaries of your property. This really helps people with mobility needs get around the town.  

Can food waste go in the garden waste bin instead? 

If you pay for the garden waste collection service, then you are free to place any food waste into this bin instead.  

We would not recommend this over the food waste collection service, as garden waste is collected every two weeks, with a four-week break after Christmas.  

This also means that there is a higher likelihood to be an issue with smells or pests, as the lid to garden waste bins does not have the same locking mechanism as food waste caddies. 

If you do opt to do this, please make sure it is only uncooked food.  
 

Does this mean the frequency of any other collections will be changing?

We can categorically say there are no plans to reduce the frequency of bin collections. 

How can I keep updated?

We will publish more information on this page as the plans for food waste collections in Eastbourne develop. We will share information about how the service will work and when it will start in our waste and recycling email newsletters.

To sign-up for our email newsletters, visit www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/keep-me-posted

Lewes food waste scheme

Food caddy liner seedling logo

A third of the rubbish in an average household bin is food waste. Joining our food waste recycling scheme can reduce your impact on the environment, and help you to save money on your food bill by cutting down on waste. You can even recycle cooked food scraps, meat, and dairy.

Alternatively, composting at home can help reduce the amount you throw away. You can find advice on East Sussex County Council's composting page, including tips for avoiding pests, deals on purchasing home composting equipment, and even a guide to build your own.

We normally aim to deliver food waste recycling equipment within two weeks of signing up, but deliveries are taking longer at the moment. Please bear with us while we deliver your food waste recycling equipment as quickly as we can.

Join the scheme now

Free compostable caddy liners in Lewes district

Lewes District Council are offering every household free compostable caddy liners for recycling food waste. If you are joining the food waste recycling service then your starter kit will already include a free roll of liners.

When you need your next roll of liners you can pick them up from any of the following locations (please check opening times before visiting):

 

What do I get when I join the service?

  • A small caddy to go in your kitchen with a roll of liners to get you started
  • A separate bin to go outside next to your refuse bags or bins

 

How is my food waste collected?

We collect your food waste at the same time as your refuse collection. Please leave your food waste bin, with the handle locked in the downward position, next to your refuse bins or bags by 6am on your bin collection day.

What can I put in my caddy?

The following materials can be recycled as food waste:

  • meat and fish: raw or cooked - including bones
  • fruit and vegetables: raw or cooked
  • all dairy: cheese and eggs, including shells
  • bread, cakes and pastries
  • rice, pasta and beans
  • coffee grounds
  • animal bedding sawdust
  • house plants and cut flowers

 

How to use your food caddy

  • Line your caddy with a compostable liner and fill it with food waste. Please do not use plastic bags, even bio-degradable ones do not compost.
  • When it is full, tie the liner and put it in your own food bin or communal food bin. Please empty your caddy regularly.
  • Lock your outside bin by keeping the handle in an downward locked position. This will keep it secure from animals and birds. Please do not put loose food into the bin especially if you are using a communal food waste bin.
  • Put your food waste bin (with the handle in the downward locked position) out for collection by 6am with your normal rubbish.

 

How do I keep foxes out of my food waste caddy?

To secure your outdoor food waste caddy, put the handle all the way forward. This will 'lock' the caddy closed and prevent foxes and other animals getting to it.

Where can I buy caddy liners?

Using a compostable liner will keep your food waste tidy and contained making handling easy for both you and the collection crews. Compostable liners decompose along with your food waste.

You must only use compostable liners which display the seedling logo and reference number EN13432. Even liners labelled as "bio-degradable" do not break down entirely and cannot be composted.

Although we offer free caddy liners, you are welcome to purchase your own if you'd prefer, you can normally buy compostable liners at the following places:

 

Tips to make it clean and easy

To keep your food caddy clean, regularly empty it into your outside food bin and use a compostable liner.

You can put your food caddy into your dishwasher or give it a rinse after washing up. We empty your outside food bin weekly and it has a lockable lid which stops smells getting out and any animals getting in. Keeping your outside caddy clean will also help prevent smells or mould developing.

What happens to your recycled food waste?

After we collect your food waste we take it to the Woodlands In-Vessel Composting Facility in Whitesmith to be recycled into soil conditioner and fertiliser which is then used by farmers and gardeners in the district.

You can find out more about how your food waste is recycled through this video: What Happens to Your Food Waste?

What can't I put into my caddy?

Please do not put any of the following materials in your food waste caddy:

  • any packaging
  • cardboard
  • corn starch liners not showing a compostable logo
  • liquids, oil or fat
  • medicine
  • newspaper
  • plastic bags, including bio-degradable

 

What if I need a replacement container?

Use our online form to request a replacement food waste container, in the Lewes district:

Start now

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