Reduced Services
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
In line with social distancing advice and to protect residents and staff the Council has taken the decision to close the Council offices to the public until further notice.
Whilst the offices are closed to visitors, you are still able to access services and information from this website 24/7.
Information and advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to access Council Services during this period can be found on our Coronavirus information page
You are invited to view and contribute to the The Mayor's Covid Record of Reflection
Essex move to Covid Tier 2 High: Message from Leader of the Council
About the Food Waste Collection Service
Questions
- What food waste will be collected?
- Can I put liquids in the food caddy e.g. milk, soup, gravy, oil?
- Can I include rotten food?
- Will I be able to put dog waste or animal bedding in my food waste collection?
- Why am I able to include meat products?
- If I get packaging that says it is compostable from another source (e.g. organic carrots in a compostable bag from the supermarket) can I put this in my food waste to be composted?
- How will food waste be collected?
- What are the benefits of collecting food waste?
Can I put liquids in the food caddy e.g. milk, soup, gravy, oil?
Liquids cannot be put directly into your food caddy. There are a number of products which can soak up all liquids and fats after cooking, these can then be disposed of safely. For example:
http://www.lessmess.co.uk/
Will I be able to put dog waste or animal bedding in my food waste collection?
No.
Residents should double bag any animal waste and put it in with your non-recyclable waste collection. Animal waste cannot be mixed with food or garden waste for composting.
Back to Questions
Why am I able to include meat products?
The food waste is composted in an Anerobic Digestion plant, which kills all bugs and diseases, allowing meat products to be included when they might not be able to in home composting.
If I get packaging that says it is compostable from another source (e.g. organic carrots in a compostable bag from the supermarket) can I put this in my food waste to be composted?
Any bag that does not compost at the same time as the food waste will contaminate the soil improver. It is therefore important that ONLY compostable bags which include the following symbol are put in the caddies.
How is food waste be collected?
Households are supplied with two caddies, one small caddy to keep in the kitchen, to place peelings or plate scrapings directly into, for example. This caddy will then be tipped into a larger second caddy, which will be placed out for collection.
The collection is weekly. see: www.castlepoint.gov.uk/calendar
What are the benefits of collecting food waste?
Environmental - If food waste is put into landfill it decomposes anaerobically which produces methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide, however, by composting instead, this can be prevented. Composting food waste allows what would be waste to be used as a resource.
Economical - By composting food waste rather than sending it to landfill we don’t have to pay the landfill tax on food waste. This keeps your council tax down!