Food waste collections – two weeks on

Brighton & Hove’s new food waste collection service has got off to a flying start, with all rounds completed as expected and uptake exceeding our expectations.

The city’s new food waste collections started in Saltdean, Rottingdean, Ovingdean, Woodingdean, Roedean and Brighton Marina on 15 September.

Since then, new crews have been out collecting residents’ food waste between 5am and 10pm.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: “It’s great to see food waste collections being rolled out for the first time in the city and residents taking part.

“The early signs for the new service are really encouraging, with uptake well above the norm for a new service, high amounts of waste collected and crucially, really low rates of contamination. This is thanks to careful planning by the service and communications supported by ward councillors and community groups on the ground.

“A big thank you to all households who are taking part. Please make sure you put all cooked and uncooked food in your caddies, so instead of going to waste it gets turned into compost to grow more food.

“It is still very early stages and, as with all new food waste services, crews need time to get to know the rounds and where residents are leaving caddies on their properties. We are keeping everything under review and making sure we take on board new learning to improve the service as it develops.”

11,000 properties are currently receiving the service, and in the first few weeks all rounds have been collected on time.

Where we have received reports from residents about their collections these have been passed straight to our crews through our new digital system. Such reports account for around 1 in 1000 properties last week. In all cases we revisited their property quickly to recollect their food waste. Plans are in place to ensure missed collections are revisited the same day they are reported or the next day.

Residents can check their collection day, request a replacement caddy or report a missed collection (after 10pm) online: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/foodwaste

No amount is too small for food waste recycling. Even if you compost at home, items that can’t go in all home composters such as bread, meat, fish, bones, cheese and cooked foods can be recycled through our service. 

Please make sure to remove all packaging, only use compostable caddy liners and leave your caddy out on the edge of your property from 5am to 10pm on your collection day where it can easily be seen by crews.