Use the caddy: Redbridge Council to start food waste collections from some households this November
Published: 14 October 2025
Check online to see if you're in the first phase. You don't need to do anything now, just wait for your caddy to arrive in November.
This Autumn, Redbridge Council will begin the roll out of a new weekly food waste collection service. In the first phase around 10,000 households will be included, with the longer-term aim of expanding the service borough-wide.
This service complies with Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, which require all councils to collect food waste separately. It also helps tackle the climate emergency. Food waste currently makes up around 40% of household rubbish in Redbridge. This new collection allows residents to recycle this food waste into renewable energy and bio-fertiliser that enhances soil health and fertility.
By recycling food waste, we can reduce our carbon footprint and help protect the environment.
Households in the first phase of this launch will receive a kitchen food waste caddy and an outdoor food waste caddy in November, ready for their first collection. Collections will take place weekly. Residents can view the collection rounds and find out whether their household will fall within the first phase online.
Councillor Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council said, “We are now making it even easier to do the right thing with your food waste. Anyone who can’t compost their own food waste, can now store it in their caddy and put it out for us to collect. This waste will be collected separately and used to generate power and to make bio-fertiliser, supporting our energy supplies. I’d like to encourage everyone in the new scheme to make use of it, and instead of putting food waste in their black bin bags, to use the caddy instead.”
Councillor Jo Blackman, cabinet member for Environment and Sustainability said, “This launch is a good reminder to all of us to consider what we do with our food waste, even if we’re not on the first phase collection route.
“Reducing the amount of food that goes to waste is one of the simplest ways we can all help the planet and save money too. Planning meals, storing food properly and using leftovers for subsequent dinners are small changes that make a big difference to the environment and to our pockets. If we can’t eat it, composting is a great alternative to using up food waste. Home composting turns food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, which is perfect for gardens and plants. If you cannot compost, please use the new food waste service.”
Items suitable for recycling in the new food caddies include: meat, fish and bones (cooked or raw), fruit and veg, cakes, bread, tea bags, coffee grounds and plate scrapings.
Liquids like milk or oil, garden waste or plastic bags (other than special food waste liners) cannot be placed in food waste caddies.
More information on the food waste collections and what can be recycled in your food waste caddy
