Somerset Council

Recycling your food waste is the easiest resolution to keep

Plate scraping leftover meat into a food waste bin filled with vegetable peels and scraps.

Can you help to make 2026 the year we bin less and recycle more?

Why recycle?

Food waste still makes up 21% of the average Somerset rubbish bin by weight; much of it’s avoidable or at least recyclable weekly to generate renewable energy and soil improver.

Don’t recycle your food waste yet?

Here’s what you need to know to get started. It’s simpler than you think!

  • Order a food waste kitchen caddy and outdoor bin if you don’t already have one:

Then recycle in 3 easy steps!

  1. Line your food caddy with newspaper or a compostable bag.
  2. Place all food waste in your kitchen caddy.
  3. Once full, tip (or place) the contents in the brown food bin ready for your weekly recycling collection.

What can you include?

Yes please:

  • Raw and cooked food
  • Meat, fish, dairy and bones
  • Tea bags and coffee grounds
  • Pet food

Kitchen paper towels can be used to mop up grease or cooking oil and be added to your food waste recycling. Paper towels can also be used in the base of your caddy to reduce moisture and to wipe up any food spills

No thanks:

  • Flowers or garden waste
  • Pet waste
  • Liquids or cooking oils
  • Any packaging, including compostable containers