Food Waste
You will receive 2 additional bins:
A kitchen caddy.
We recommend placing this under your kitchen sink, next to your current indoor bins or on the counter top. It should be easily grabbed whilst you are preparing/cleaning in the kitchen.
Use the caddy liners inside your kitchen caddy to keep all food waste neatly contained. This will also help to reduce any smells which may be produced.
We recommend using one liner each day, to ensure you keep smells to a minimum without over using the bags.
The kitchen caddy is sealable and lockable.
A 140l outside bin.
This has been placed next to your current outdoor bins and is where you place your bagged food waste from your kitchen caddy.
It will be collected weekly, on the same day as your current collections.
To find out when this bin will be collected, use https://mybins.blackburn.gov.uk
Currently, roughly 44% of your burgundy bin is food waste.
We know that some food waste (such as teabags, carrot tops etc) is inevitable but some food waste (such as uneaten leftovers, mouldy bread) can be prevented.
- Why is Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council introducing food waste?
By 31 March 2026, it will be legislation that each council in England must provide all households with a separate, weekly food waste collection. This comes under The Environment Act (2021) and the Government’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms.
- What happens to the collected food waste?
By presenting your food waste to be recycled, it will go to an anaerobic digestion plant which is great for the planet. It’s a process which uses microorganisms to break down food waste in the absence of oxygen, inside an enclosed system. Doing this produces biogas, which is used to generate renewable energy, heat and electricity and fuel for transport vehicles. The material left from the process is known as digestate which can be used as fertiliser, compost, or soil improver to grow more food.
- What do I need to do if I run out of bin liners?
A roll of recycled plastic bags will be supplied for free to collect food waste within the indoor caddy. When the bag is full, it will need to be tied and moved to the outdoor bin.
When your kitchen caddy liners are due to run out, please contact your housing provider for more.
If you do not have a housing provider, please contact our Customer services | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (please note this link will take you to an external website).
- How often will my caddy be emptied?
Your 140L outside bin will be collected once a week, on the same collection day as your other bins.
Check your collection dates on https://mybins.blackburn.gov.uk
It will be your responsibilty to empty your kitchen caddy and liners into the 140L outside bin.
Our crews will not collect from your kitchen caddy.
- What if I don't produce any food waste?
Remember, there is no amount too small. Some food waste (such as banana peels, tea bags and citrus peels) are inevitable. These can now all be recycled and help make a big difference.
- I already have enough bins, where do I fit another?
We understand that most properties already struggle with space, particularly those with smaller properties and little outdoor space. Food Waste is mandatory and we have specifically chosen smaller bins with a carry handle to help with storage.
We appreciate your efforts to help increase the amount of rubbish which is recycled in our borough.
- Will the food in my bin smell?
Not if you tie up the liners when your kitchen caddy is full and empty it regularly into the outside 140L food waste recycling bin. Remember, we will be emptying your food waste bin weekly!
- Will the food waste bins attract rodents?
No, your bins have a sealable and lockable lid which will stop rodents getting in.
- Why have you stopped taking extra black bags now I am on food waste?
With the introduction of food waste this should decrease the need to put waste in your burgundy bin. If you find you are struggling with fitting all your non-recyclable waste in your burgundy bin, there are some options which allow certain households to apply for either a larger or additional burgundy bin.
Please find out more Extra and bigger bins | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council .
Additional recycling bins are free for all households- please contact your housing provider to discuss this option.