Food waste

In West Northamptonshire we recycle food waste using a process called anaerobic digestion.

During the process bacteria break down the organic matter into:

• a biogas, consisting mainly of methane, used to generate electricity and heat
• a digestate, a solid which can be used as an organic fertiliser by farmers

How to recycle your food waste

Food waste is collected weekly using 2 caddies (bins):

• one small indoor caddy to store your waste
• one larger lockable bin which should be put out for collection

When the small caddy is full, transfer to the bigger bin and store outside, locked. Please keep the outdoor bin locked and away from pets and children.

You can line the small caddy with paper, compostable bags or plastic caddy liners. The council does not supply caddy liners, but they are available at most supermarkets, household and discount stores, and online.

Both of the bins are washable and the small caddies will fit in the dishwasher.

What you can recycle

Find out what you can put in a food caddy.

Last updated 04 July 2022