Food waste

Food waste

Coventry City Council will introduce a new weekly food waste recycling service for households across the city. The service is part of national plans to recycle more waste and reduce the amount sent for incineration. Food waste collections across Coventry are planned to start in September 2026.

Food waste collection – Households 

1. When will the service be introduced?

All households will receive a food waste bin over the summer. Delivery starts the first week of June and will be completed before the end of August.   Food waste collections across Coventry are set to start week beginning 7 September 2026.

2. Why are we introducing a Food waste service?

We are introducing a separate food waste service to improve recycling, reduce food waste and because it is an instruction from the Government. All councils must provide a separate weekly food waste collection. The launch of Coventry City Council’s food waste service is funded by the government. 

3. What you need to do?

Please make sure your food bin is out by 7am on your collection day.  
When we deliver your food waste bin,  there will be information inside it to tell you your collection day. 

4. What happens to your food waste?

Your food waste will be taken to a facility known as an anaerobic digestion facility, where it is recycled into nutrient-rich fertiliser. This fertiliser is used to support local farmers and improve soil quality. The process also produces a gas, which is used to generate renewable energy and electricity. More information on how your food waste is processed by Coventry City Council.

5. How to use your food waste bin

  • You can use a liner if you want. Please ensure they are compostable, you may also use newspaper to line your caddy.
  • Place cooked and uncooked food waste inside the bin
  • Please keep your bin the right way up and in the locked position. To lock, push the handle down over the front of the bin. This will stop animals from getting into the bin 
  • Please put a sticker with your house number on the bin or write your number on it with a pen
  • You can choose to keep a smaller caddy in the house/on the kitchen counter for easy access. You may still have a caddy that was given to you by the council several years ago. If you no longer have this, you can purchase a replacement from a good homeware shop. If you do so, please tip the contents of this smaller kitchen caddy into the larger bin when required 

6. What goes into your bin?

Yes

  • All uneaten food and plate scrapings
  • Eggs and eggshells
  • Mouldy and out-of-date food
  • Rice, pasta and beans
  • Raw and cooked fish and meat, including bones
  • Pet food
  • Bread, cakes and pastries
  • Dairy products, cheese and yoghurt
  • Teabags and coffee grounds
  • Raw and cooked vegetables and fruit, whole and peelings

No

  • Packaging, including 'biodegradable' packaging
  • Liquids
  • Oil or liquid fat
  • Non-food items
  • No garden waste or flowers
  • Pet waste

7. Where to put your bin out for collection? 

Please put your food waste bin out for 7am on your collection day.
Put your food waste bin where you usually put your rubbish and recycling bins for our crews to empty.  

If you have an assisted collection for your other bins, then this arrangement will continue.

8. We encourage you to take part in the new food waste recycling because it:

  • can help you save money on your food shop
  • space in your bins
  • helps to look after the environment 
  • generates electricity 
  • makes clean, renewable power while caring for and protecting the environment

9. Will my bin start to smell?

Keeping the lid closed and locked helps to reduce smells. A quick rinse every few weeks also helps. 

10. Bin storage suggestions

You can keep your food waste bin inside or outside.  It can be left by your other your bins all year. It’s made for outside use.

11. How can I reduce food waste and save money?

  • Plan meals and cook the right amount. Love Food Hate Waste / Preventing food waste has tips on how to do this
  • Use up your leftovers, the national Love Food Hate Waste / Preventing food waste has lots of ideas
  • Eat or freeze food before the ‘use-by’ date
  • Composting is also a great option for food waste
  • Freeze as much as you can (check the packaging for storage instructions)
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