Food waste collections

As food waste is 70% water, sending food waste for incineration requires more energy to burn so recycling is a more efficient method of disposal.

Your food waste is taken to a local transfer station, then sent to an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility, where it goes through an eight-step specialist process, called Anaerobic Digestion.

Anaerobic Digestion is a natural process that biologically breaks down organic material to generate large amounts of biogas - a combination of methane and carbon dioxide. It works in a similar way to a compost heap, only on an industrial scale, and because of the lack of oxygen, the biogas is captured, rather than it being lost in the atmosphere. It then goes through a refining process to remove carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds; an odorant is added to the biomethane before it is pumped directly into the National Gas Grid.

Remember there is no amount too small. Unavoidable items – like banana skins, peelings, bones, eggshells, tea bags and coffee grounds – can go into your food caddy.

You’re already producing food waste, it’s going in your household waste bin, so this is just a different container.  It’s important to reduce the amount of food waste going to disposal as food waste produces methane – a harmful greenhouse gas.

Food will be collected from the kerbside in your 23l outdoor food caddy. The lid of the caddy locks when the handle is upright. Crews will empty your caddy into a wheelie bin or directly into the collection vehicle. Your caddy will be returned to your property.

Weekly, on the same day as your grey and maroon bins.

Many residents keep their caddy:

• Under the sink
• Beside the kitchen bin
• On the countertop

If preferred, you can use your own container indoors as long as the food waste is tied securely in a liner and transferred to your outdoor caddy.

Not if you empty your kitchen caddy regularly into the outdoor food caddy and tie up the liners.

• All uneaten food and plate scrapings
• Baked goods such as bread, cakes and pastries
• Dairy products, eggs and eggshells
• Fruit and vegetables including raw and cooked vegetables and peelings
• Out-of-date or mouldy food
• Raw and cooked meat or fish, including bones
• Tea bags and coffee grounds

All food waste should be removed from packaging.

No, food collections are included in the standard waste collection service.

New government legislation requires councils to collect food waste separately.  Recycling your food waste is better for the environment and will be used to generate natural forms of energy and fertiliser or soil conditioner which can be used in farming.

No. Our garden waste is composted out in the open using a method called windrow composting. Food waste needs to be heat treated, to make sure there are no pathogens that can be transferred to people or livestock. This is a more expensive method of treatment and windrow composting is a more environmentally friendly method of treating garden waste.

When you’re running low, simply tie an empty liner to the handle of your outdoor caddy. Crews will leave more during your next collection.

Food waste collections in Knowsley begin 13 April 2026.

Your collection calendar, delivered with your caddy, will confirm your exact start date.

Households will receive:

• 1 5l indoor kitchen caddy
• A roll of caddy liners
• 1 23l outdoor caddy

Deliveries will take place February–March 2026.

They break easily, are less secure, and are separated at the processing facility when the bags are split open.

Rollout for flats will be in October 2026. We’re working closely with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), and because different buildings have different needs, each site will have a tailored solution rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Your food waste may not be collected. Crews may leave a sticker explaining the issue, and the Recycling Engagement Team may follow up to provide support and advice.

You can request a replacement caddy free of charge through our website.