Food waste collections

Overview

Helping you go greener

As part of our Council Plan and our commitment to making Kensington and Chelsea a Greener, Safer and Fairer borough, we are expanding the Food Waste Collection Service.

We collect food waste from:

• Some kerbside properties – collected from outdoor food waste bins
• Some estates and blocks of flats – collected from communal bins
• On-street food waste bins – collected from communal bins located at some of our mini recycling centres

Apply for food waste collections

To sign up for food waste collections, you will need to apply using one of the options below. If you are not sure what type of collection you require, see further information under ‘How to use the Service’.

Kerbside collections

We don’t currently offer food waste collections across all of the borough. Before applying, please check if we are currently collecting from your street using the collection day checker. 

If your street is listed, you can apply for collections.  

> Apply here <

Estates and blocks of flats

We’ve been working with landlords, housing providers and property managers to introduce communal food waste bins. 

If your block does not currently offer food waste recycling please ask your property manager or site staff to get in touch with us either by calling 020 7361 3001 or emailing [email protected]. 

On-street food waste bins

If your property is near an on-street food waste bin, you can sign up and receive a 7-litre caddy and liners for your kitchen.  

> Sign up here <

How to use the service

Kerbside collections 

After you have signed up we'll send you:

• a small, black, 7-litre kitchen food waste caddy
• a larger, black, 23-litre outdoor food waste caddy
• 12 months' supply of food waste liners

If your property is divided into multiple flats and you have a limited amount of space at the front of your property, you may need to share your outdoor caddy with your neighbours.

When your indoor food waste caddy is full, put your securely tied food waste liners into your outdoor food waste caddy and lock it by placing the handle forward. 

Collection days

Missed collection

Food waste is collected separately to general waste and recycling. Even if your other bins have been collected but your caddy remains full, please wait until 4pm on the collection day to report a missed collection as the food waste crew may still be collecting.

Missed collections reported before midday on the next working day will be picked up by the next available food waste collection crew. Food waste crews operate on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

> Report it online now <

What can go in your food waste caddy

Items you can put in your food caddy:

• Raw and cooked food (including vegetables, meat, fish and bones)
• Fruit and peelings
• Dairy, including cheese and eggs
• Bread and pastries
• Tea bags and coffee grounds
• Eggshells
• Rice, pasta and beans

Please do not put these in your food waste caddy:

• Packaging of any kind
• Black bags
• Garden waste
• Liquids (such as milk)
• Oil or liquid fat
• Any material that is not food waste
•  

Order bins and liners

If you run out of liners, you can buy your own from supermarkets or other retailers. Our preference is that you use compostable bin liners. 

Please do not use black or opaque bags as the crews will not collect them because they need to be able to check that only food waste is inside. 

Alternatively, you can order extra liners from us using our online form. 

Before you start, you will need:

• request type
• location
• evidence (optional)
• your contact details

> Order now online <

Collection Days

Your outdoor caddy should be at the front of your property by 7am on your collection day.

 > Check your collection day <

The crew needs to be able to spot your outdoor caddy from their vehicle on the road. Please make sure your caddy is placed:

• out by 7am on your collection day
• kerbside level
• at the edge of your property
• as close to the pavement as possible

Please do not put your outdoor caddy: 

• on pavement
• in basements
• inside passages
• inside bin housing structures

Frequently asked questions